Established in 2011 to prevent clubs spending more than they earned and getting into financial problems which might threaten their long-term survival, FFP originally limited clubs to losses of 26m over a three-year period. Others however, insist that if clubs sign up to play in Uefa's tournaments, then they should abide by the rules, and that a failure to do so damages the fundamental sense of fair play on which sport is meant to depend. Amnesty and HRW denounced the "mass trial of 94 government critics", arguing that the convictions were: "Based on a fundamentally unfair trial probably violated the right of free association was marred by the denial of legal assistance during pretrial incommunicado detention, and allegations of torture. Qx=-PDVYxVN0oeBuUL1+rbM_a[e,X~t" "\${ +3]fcuszvyuMLLoRhh~19vjsum]J2o, u@#@;UN [~k@FX5x-C1?$[z}bEommQQ0*zaV0,Q?g2QXnB2 ~sr)g-xV0, VO8]pj$nCfRb3._gxY{Z13qr[Fahy&HwH$|`|PTz^79hQ The Labour-run council has been at the centre of corruption allegations since its head of regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, was arrested in his fourth-floor office of the Grade II-listed Cunard. Judge Grainger ruled today that Elliot, Harris and Roberts had all knowingly participated in the scheme. They were understood to include the 14m Bow Street site in Moss Side, along with a 6m school renovation project at Southern Cross primary in Chorlton. Six of the 94 detainees finally appeared before a judge in Abu Dhabi on 6 September 2012 and were reported by HRW and Amnesty to have appeared "dishevelled, disoriented and distressed". The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. At the first court hearing on 4 March 2013 in Abu Dhabi, Amnesty and HRW reported that several defendants told the judge they had been "seriously ill-treated during months in detention". Elliot was also found guilty of three counts of engaging in transactions that involved criminal property. GB has now carried out and completed its own probe, in line with the ongoing police and council investigation, the M.E.N. Whether it is top clubs jostling for a bigger share of TV money, La Liga staging matches overseas, a proposed new Saudi-backed club World Cup, or the threat of a breakaway European Super League, or City apparently flouting FFP, the rules and the established order, seems to be under threat. English football has been warned it has allowed one of its major clubs to be exploited as a "branding vehicle" by an international regime accused of human rights abuses after a trial in Abu Dhabi, a country ruled by Manchester City's owner and his brothers, was widely denounced as repressive, involving torture, and "fundamentally unfair". One of those who could benefit from an exodus of Labour voters is Stephen Yip, a Liverpool-born charity founder who has promised to give away his salary if elected as mayor. Ann Marie Grainger, Parish Judge, speaking today while delivering the verdict via live audio stream. Clubs that are backed these days not just by private investors, but by the rulers of entire petro-states, armed with sovereign wealth funds. On 10 June 2012, another Emirati, Saud Kulaib, tweeted that Suweidi was "being exposed to severe torture under the supervision of a high official". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In a series of reports, HRW has highlighted exploitative practices, including burdensome recruitment fees charged to workers before they arrive, low pay of around $8 a day in one of the world's richest countries, the prevailing system of being tied to one employer, and the prohibition on forming a union or striking for better terms. A building firm is helping with a council corruption probe following the suspension of a town hall boss. These examples are entirely unrelated to Der Spiegel's current revelations, but it is increasingly hard to be shocked when it comes to football and money. Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city. Test yourself with these 12 questions, Do you know your local leaders from your Manchester suburbs? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, 'No one told me it wasn't normal to be hospitalised for period pains. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The investigation escalated in December with the arrest of Joe Anderson, the councils figurehead for 12 years, alongside four other men including Derek Hatton, the 72-year-old leftwing firebrand who ran Liverpool three decades ago. stream Man United were heavily linked with a move for Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo prior to his move to Liverpool in January. The BBC has not been able to verify the leaked emails published by Der Spiegel, and City have refused to comment, beyond saying that the documents are "purportedly hacked or stolen" and an "organised attempt" to smear the club. The UAE authorities argue it was not the petition itself that led to those posting it being arrested but the continued criticism with which they followed it up. Everybody will be lifted up if we all aim for equality: Hundreds line the streets in the city centre for Manchester's annual Walk for Women, The march is one of many taking place across the UK for International Women's Day, Emotional scenes at Etihad as Man City fans and Phil Foden pay tribute to tragic Milly-Rose, 6, who died suddenly, The emotional display happened during the sixth minute of Manchester City vs Newcastle, 'We ditched our corporate jobs for life on a narrowboat with our baby - we've never been happier', Despite earning a sixth of their previous income, Joanna and Victor Gould are loving the slower pace of life, We took Jay Rayner for lunch at one his favourite Manchester restaurants - heres what he had to say about the citys food, We sat down for lunch with the acclaimed food critic ahead of his show 'Jazz Up the 80s with the Jay Rayner Sextet' at Manchester's Albert Hall, 'School banned my business when I was 12. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. She will take over from Sir Richard Leese, who is standing down after 25 . With their team the reigning Premier League champions, top of the league, and known for playing some of the best football that the English game has seen, most City supporters will refuse to allow allegations that their club deceived Uefa over financial fair play (FFP) rules to detract from pride in their club. The council is controlled by the Labour Party and led by Bev Craig. It does not store any personal data. Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, tweeted that he was "the giant of local government and local leadership". PROBE INTO DEALS: Terry Burke has been suspended from his post at Manchester council. Fraud ii. Now I finally have relief from endometriosis', Hannah Bingham spent years suffering from the condition, Price stamps to rise next month - pushing first class above 1, Gogglebox star Ellie reveals gender of her baby in sweet scenes, The mum-to-be is expecting her first child, Police searching for wanted teen over a 'serious assault', Calum McManus, 18, is being sought over an alleged attack in Heywood yesterday, 'The man was a legend' - Tributes paid to man who died after being hit by digger at industrial estate, Hundreds of people have paid tribute to John Graveson on Facebook following the tragedy, Shoppers flock to buy 2.50 'game changing' item that solves G, Lidl and Aldi pot hoarding problem, The item is one of many ways you can upcycle and reuse your old dessert ramekins, Cody Gakpo opens up on Manchester United ahead of Liverpool FC clash. "He has had one of the biggest impacts that any politician I can think of has made. No arrests have been made. Council bosses handed a file to police after the allegations surfaced last year. Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city. Its heartbreaking to see what they did with that opportunity.. Man, 37, found dead inside car as police cordon off area near cemetery, Eye witnesses described seeing a heavy police and emergency service response in the area, 'I left school in Salford at 16 - now I'm a millionaire with a Lamborghini and a Cheshire mansion', 'I get called the queen of aesthetics - that's because I am', Hundreds flock to be 'part of history' as new 53million road which residents have campaigned for decades opens, You'll have to wait a little while longer to drive down it though, The one-off DWP payments that will arrive in March, The government is offering several forms of support for struggling households amid the cost of living crisis, Real life of ITV Coronation Street's Paul Foreman actor Peter Ash - Emmerdale star relation, rarely seen girlfriend, and first big role with Corrie co-star, Peter started regularly appearing in the ITV soap in January 2019 when Paul arrived in Weatherfield looking for his sister, Gemma, 'No one told me it wasn't normal to be hospitalised for period pains. How all this strife and struggle over the rulers by birth of a complex, faraway country ended up washing into the fabric of Manchester City is a story of our times. Corruption 3 Anti-Fraud Culture and Key . Meanwhile, in handing down her judgement, Judge Grainger found Elliot guilty of 17 of the 25 counts brought by the Crown. Combine that fatigue with fans' tribalistic loyalty to their team, and it is easy to see why sport seems so able to withstand such controversies. He became leader in May 1996, a month before the IRA planted a huge bomb outside the Manchester Arndale shopping centre, which was timed to coincide with the Euro 96 football tournament. Seen as one of the most powerful Labour politicians in England, Sir Richard signed up to the devolution deal, which saw more powers shifted from central government to regional authorities. That is why the NIA boss is calling for other corruption cases like the Petrojam matter, to be brought swiftly before the courts. The regime, whose army and security services are headed by Sheikh Mansour's brother, Sheikh Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, maintains the 69 were operating as a front for the Muslim Brotherhood, and seeking to impose a conservative Islamist state, including by military means. The anti-corruption commission will scrutinise the officials for allegedly awarding contracts to various.. Australia One News Page: Thursday, 2 March 2023. If they are authentic - (and Der Spiegel insist that their source - purportedly the founder of the Football Leaks whistleblower website - has assured them that he did not hack or steal the documents) - then many will inevitably conclude that they do not reflect well on the club, and raise serious questions over its integrity and its respect for the rules. Its findings led Merseyside police to launch Operation Aloft, under which 11 people have been arrested over allegations ranging from fraud to witness intimidation. Uefa are understood to be wary of the threat of a legal challenge by clubs with the resources of City and PSG, and reluctant to weaken their competitions by excluding some of the world's best players. Nobody has been suspended as a result. Elliots mother, Myrtle and former Bank Teller, Radcliffe McLean were set free after it could not be proven that they hand any knowledge of the criminal enterprise. ", Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? He did not respond when contacted by the M.E.N but is said to be challenging the decision. Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly agreed to accept a 16.4m fine and a suspended jail term to settle tax evasion charges that he denies. Quite the opposite. Town Hall Extension, Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Forty-seven councillors got suspended over Militant we could lose 60.. A building firm is helping with a council corruption probe following the suspension of a town hall boss. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Analysis: Political fallout could cost Labour the citys mayoralty and votes in Mays local elections, It was a devastating indictment of one of Britains most powerful councils: a rotten culture of dubious contracts and backroom bullying, where staff were silenced and official records dumped in skips. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. They should hang their heads in shame.. On 2 July, at the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi, 69 of the 94 were found guilty of plotting to overthrow the regime. Former Superintendent of Roads and Works at the Corporation, Sanjay Elliot, the mastermind behind the fraud scheme, his former employee Dwayne Sibblies, Acting CEO David Harris and Temporary Works Overseer Kendale Roberts have all been found guilty. Such a denial now appears undermined. Federal corruption cases. Other allegations of torture included one detainee saying he was "beaten with a plastic tube all over my body"; another wrote he was tied to a chair and threatened with electrocution. A senior town hall manager has been suspended amid claims of corruption. Sheikh Mansour's money is now building a 140m training campus on 80 acres of largely derelict land, the most significant private business investment into east Manchester for years. Amnesty said the trial showed "a deeply flawed judicial system" at odds with the "global image the UAE likes to project of itself as an efficient, forward-thinking country, which in many ways it is". Mitch Englander: Envelopes Of Cash And A Guilty Plea. 3,198 were here. Yip, a former Labour member who left the party 20 years ago, said he had been shocked by the lack of contrition this week from some of those leading the council over the past five years: Has one of them had the decency to hold their hands up and say sorry? Everybody will be lifted up if we all aim for equality: Hundreds line the streets in the city centre for Manchester's annual Walk for Women, The march is one of many taking place across the UK for International Women's Day, Emotional scenes at Etihad as Man City fans and Phil Foden pay tribute to tragic Milly-Rose, 6, who died suddenly, The emotional display happened during the sixth minute of Manchester City vs Newcastle, 'We ditched our corporate jobs for life on a narrowboat with our baby - we've never been happier', Despite earning a sixth of their previous income, Joanna and Victor Gould are loving the slower pace of life, We took Jay Rayner for lunch at one his favourite Manchester restaurants - heres what he had to say about the citys food, We sat down for lunch with the acclaimed food critic ahead of his show 'Jazz Up the 80s with the Jay Rayner Sextet' at Manchester's Albert Hall, 'School banned my business when I was 12. Manchester City Council is facing a 153m budget shortfall over the next three years, councillors have heard. Racist backroom plotting. They pointed out that the system allowed for a club like Manchester United to be saddled with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt and interest repayments by its Florida-based owners the Glazers - who also take tens of millions out of the club for themselves each year - yet punished City. The 48-year-old outlined he had concerns upon Casemiro's arrival but the Man United ace has since quelled his fears. Sir Richard Leese was elected to the city council in 1984, Sir Richard (right) joined Mayor Andy Burnham in criticising the government's lockdown measures in October, Sir Richard helped oversee the transformation of East Manchester, which is home to Manchester City. In the meantime, anti-corruption activist and Executive Director of the National Integrity Action, NIA, Professor Trevor Munroe, is hailing the ruling. It is understood allegations were made involving multi-million pound building projects across the city. Mansour is the Abu Dhabi deputy prime minister, responsible for the country's judges, and sits on the board of key investment funds. The prime minister himself has been persona non grata in Liverpool since it was cast as a self-pitying city in a Spectator article in 2004, when he edited the magazine. Trusted News Discovery Since 2008. The governments damning verdict on Liverpool city council was summed up by a single word on the front page of the local newspaper: Failed., The feeling of many Liverpudlians was one of shame, anger and betrayal. Elliot and his co-conspirators Harris and Roberts were also found guilty of an act of corruption. Littleborough community choir, Chorley Old Road closed after car crashes into electrical box, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. The allegations against Mr Burke were brought to light by a town hall whistleblower. Quoting Zayed's vision of a parliamentary system for "a society liberated from fear," the petition asked for greater democracy, by: "Electing all the members of the Federal Supreme Council by all citizens in the same manner that is approached in the democratic countries around the world." A council chief has been sacked following an investigation into alleged corruption. While Arsenal, United and Chelsea are nearing the start of this Premier League season still publicly talking about bids for big-name players, City have quietly spent 87m on four stars for the new manager, Manuel Pellegrini. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. members' interests and members' allowances. On 26 June, Amnesty and HRW issued their most serious statement on the case, detailing allegations of "systematic" torture, based on hand-written letters smuggled out of the jails. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Man United were heavily linked with a move for Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo prior to his move to Liverpool in January. In huge whiteletters on a sky blue background, it says: "MANCHESTER THANKS YOU, SHEIKH MANSOUR.