LaLiga president Javier Tebas says Spanish league has filed a legal complaint to the EU Commission alleging that Man City have breached EU Competition Law; Tebas said the complaint was filed in 2023 and is linked to the Foreign Subsidies Regulation; Man City strongly refute the allegations
By Kaveh Solhekol & Amar Mehta
Friday 28 February 2025 13:29, UK
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Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol explains why LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has filed a legal complaint to the EU Commission, alleging that Man City have breached EU Competition Law. Man City strongly refute the allegations
LaLiga president Javier Tebas says the Spanish league has filed a legal complaint to the EU Commission, alleging that Manchester City have breached EU Competition Law.
Tebas said the complaint was filed in 2023 and is linked to the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The European Commission has also confirmed receipt of the complaint.
The regulation concerns foreign subsidies granted by non-EU states to companies engaged in economic activities within the internal market.
LaLiga filed a complaint on the grounds that Manchester City has received foreign subsidies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), allowing the club to enhance its competitive position and cause significant distortions across various national and EU markets.
Tebas said: “All they do is they think about how they can avoid the rules and regulations.
“We have reported this to the European Union with facts and figures. Why? Because it’s an English team that is not part of the EU but they have commercial activities in Europe.
“It’s really important that all clubs are subject to transparency rules and governance and real competition in the financial and sporting side of their business.”
Image: LaLiga president Javier Tebas
LaLiga states that the club receives resources under non-market conditions that disrupt several closely related markets, which enable the club to sign top-tier players and coaches far beyond what would be feasible under normal market conditions and to secure sponsorship revenues at levels that do not align with fair market value.
LaLiga says this improves Manchester City’s performance on the pitch, while restricting its rival’s capacity.
It is understood meetings have been held, but LaLiga is awaiting a decision and/or further progress from the European Commission.
Manchester City say Tebas has a long history of attacking the club and refused to comment.
But they strongly refute the allegations and pointed to their accounts as proof of no wrongdoing which are a matter of public record.
City boss Pep Guardiola was asked three times about the subject and gave the same answer three times: “Next.”
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LaLiga president said the Spanish league has filed a legal complaint to the EU Commission alleging Manchester City have breached EU Competition Law. Pep Guardiola was asked about the subject in his FA Cup press conference.
Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom went on to ask about why Manchester City is a target for some people, and Guardiola responded: “I don’t know. It has happened in the past with UEFA and now, in a few weeks it will happen with the Premier League, the sentence [to the 115 charges], right?
“We wait, and after, we’ll talk.”
When asked if it is something to do with the success of City that upsets the establishment, he added: “I don’t know.”
Sky Sports News has contacted the EU Commission for comment.
LaLiga’s legal complaint is separate and unrelated to the 115 charges Manchester City are facing over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. Manchester City denied all of the charges.
