Both Uefa and the Premier League are investigating after emails leaked by German publication Der Spiegel appeared to show £59.5million, reported as coming from sponsors Etihad airline was actually from owners Abu Dhabi United Group.
If proved the allegations would amount to a breach of Uefa’s financial fair play rules and, according to the European governing body’s head of independent Club Financial Control Body, Yves Leterme, could lead to the ‘heaviest punishment’ for the Premier League champions.
Speaking to Belgian outlet Sport and Strategy, Leterme said: “If it is true what has been written, there might be a serious problem. This can lead to the heaviest punishment: exclusion from the Uefa competitions.