Manchester City have been “losing money and cheating” for over 10 years claims La Liga president | OneFootball

La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused Manchester City of “losing money and cheating” since the club was taken over by their Abu Dhabi ownership in 2008.

Three months into the new campaign, City once again find themselves at the centre of public criticism from one of their fiercest long-term opponents and critics away from the football pitch.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has repeatedly voiced his disapproval of the club’s financial approach under their Abu Dhabi ownership, and his latest comments have again placed Manchester City under the spotlight.

This is far from the first time Tebas has gone on record about the Premier League giants, having accused both City and Paris Saint-Germain of “financial doping” in the past, regularly questioning UEFA and the Premier League’s willingness to regulate their clubs.

Manchester City, for their part, have often responded by stating their finances are fully compliant with both domestic and European rules, while pointing to their unprecedented sporting success as the product of sound investment and strategy.

The Manchester side’s rise since 2008 has been well-documented, with their Abu Dhabi ownership overseeing a transformation that has delivered six Premier League titles in abundance, multiple domestic cups, and the long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph in 2023 – the majority of which has come under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

At the same time, however, Manchester City remain embroiled in an ongoing investigation by the Premier League into over 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations – charges the club strongly denies as they await a verdict on the matter.

Speaking at a conference organised by Expansion and PKF Attest, relayed by GOAL, La Liga boss Javier Tebas has now accused City of “losing money and cheating” for 10 years, and since their Abu Dhabi ownership takeover of 2008.

“Football is global, and in these European competitions, you have to face clubs that have a different system. Either they don’t have financial control, or it’s different,” Tebas claimed.

“But in England, they’re worried about the level of debt in English football. It’s a competition that constantly goes into losses. You can lose one, two, or three years, but not four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or 10 like Manchester City, who have been losing money and cheating since Manchester City came into existence with their new owners,” he continued.

“Or PSG, who have had losses of €200 million for seven consecutive years. But we compete, the results are there. We’re 30 European titles ahead of the Premier League this century.”

Javier Tebas’ claims arrive at a time when financial scrutiny in English football is at its peak, with Everton and Nottingham Forest both having received sanctions for profit and sustainability breaches, while Manchester City’s own case has been described as the most complex and significant in Premier League history.

The outcome of that process, which could still take months or years depending on appeals, will be pivotal not just for Manchester City but also for the credibility of English football’s regulatory framework.

Looking ahead, much will depend on how an independent panel rules on the charges, and a ruling in City’s favour – which is firmly expected from the Etihad Stadium’s side – would strengthen the club’s stance against long-standing vocal critics such as Tebas and allow them to continue building their dynasty largely unchallenged.

But if the governing body sides against Manchester City, the consequences could reshape both the club and the competition itself, with potential fines, transfer restrictions, or even expulsion from the league being speculated on in previous reports.