How Manchester City could use EU competition law to beat Financial Fair Play rules

EurActiv reported on the 9 May 2014 that Manchester City Football Club was considering challenging a record-breaking €60 million fine for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by using EU competition law to prevent cartels and abuse of market dominance.

Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia had declared support for FFP rules back in 2012.

The death of Jean-Luc Dehaene, the former Belgian prime minister who was heading Uefa's financial fair play investigations, might cause a delay to the case surrounding Manchester City's breach of the FFP rules.

ESO: Background information: State aid: Vice President Almunia and UEFA President Platini confirm Financial Fair-Play rules in professional football are in line with EU state aid policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-vice-president-almunia-and-uefa-president-platini-confirm-financial-fair-play-rules-in-professional-football-are-in-line-with-eu-state-aid-policy/

The Guardian, 13.05.14: Manchester City's financial fair play deal is still on the rocks http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/13/manchester-city-financial-fair-play-deal

ESO: Background information: Message of condolences from President Barroso on the passing away of Jean-Luc Dehaene http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-message-of-condolences-from-president-barroso-on-the-passing-away-of-jean-luc-dehaene/

The Guardian, 15.05.14: Death of Uefa's FFP investigator may delay Manchester City ruling http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/15/death-uefa-financial-fair-play-investigator-manchester-city

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