MANCHESTER, England: Manchester City on Friday reported record revenues of $903 million (£715m) for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Revenues were up by $2.78m (£2.2m) on the previous year, but profits were down slightly — $93.2m (£73.8m pounds) compared to $101.5m (£80.4m).
“The club’s three primary income sources — commercial, broadcast and matchday — all remained strong, reflecting the continued differentiation and impact of the club’s multi-decade strategic approach,” City said in a statement.
City was taken over by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in 2008 and has gone on to dominate English football after spending billions of pounds on some of the world’s best players and hiring Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016.
City won a record fourth straight Premier League title last year and has been crowned English champion in six of the last seven years.
But it is currently struggling on the pitch both domestically and in the Champions League, and City’s financial report comes against the backdrop of a hearing on alleged financial breaches. The four-time defending champion is facing more than 100 charges by the Premier League ranging over a nine-year period when it was trying to establish itself as the biggest force in English football.
City was accused by the league of providing misleading information about its finances from 2009-18. A hearing by an independent commission began in September and a verdict is not expected until next year.
City denies the charges.
Manchester City report record revenues, but profits are down
https://arab.news/6rx8c
Manchester City report record revenues, but profits are down
- City won a record fourth straight Premier League title last year and has been crowned English champion in six of the last seven years
UEFA rejects Benfica’s appeal against Prestianni ban for alleged racism toward Vinícius Jr
- UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica’s application against the suspension
- It confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday
NYON, Switzerland: UEFA has rejected Benfica’s last-minute appeal against the provisional suspension of Gianluca Prestianni, meaning he remains ruled out of the Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Prestianni was provisionally suspended on Monday for one match following accusations he racially abused Vinícius Júnior in the first leg last week.
The game was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the Madrid forward scored and then celebrated by the Benfica corner flag, upsetting local fans and players. After being confronted by Prestianni, Vinícius accused the Argentine player of calling him “monkey.”
Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius, has denied racially insulting the Brazil star, who is Black.
UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica’s application against the suspension and that it confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday.
During the game, the anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken as there had been no evidence against Prestianni.
Vinícius’ teammate Kylian Mbappé said he heard Prestianni use the racial slur five times.
But Benfica has supported their player, claiming Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away. The Portuguese club said they welcomed UEFA’s investigation and that they “fully support and believe the version presented” by Prestianni, “whose conduct while with the club has always been guided by respect” toward everyone.
José Mourinho also backed Prestianni and criticized Vinícius for his celebration after the goal – for which the player was booked. The Benfica coach said something always happens in stadiums where Vinícius plays.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it was wrong to use Vinícius’ celebration to justify the alleged act of racism.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was among those who also criticized Mourinho for attacking Vinícius after last week’s match.
Mourinho is suspended for the second leg because he was sent off late in the first leg for referee dissent. But he also traveled to Madrid with Prestianni, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday before UEFA rejected his club’s appeal.
