Manchester City stand accused of 'manipulating' their contracts in an attempt to cover revenue shortfalls and stay in line with UEFA Financial Fair Play rules, with club owner Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi ruling family also apparently investing money disguised as sponsor income.
The revelations come from an investigation by Der Spiegel, with the German publication gaining access to internal club emails and declaring that City have engaged in such activities as backdating contracts to 'dodge' potential UEFA sanctions for losses and facilitate spending.
Financial Fair Play regulations were put in place to prevent clubs from spending beyond their means, in other words limiting spending to the revenue brought in from things like sponsorship, prize money, broadcasting etc; and equally preventing bankrolling by wealthy owners.