Manchester United remains optimistic that no consequences will befall their senior executive, Omar Berrada, should his previous employer, Manchester City, be proven guilty regarding allegations made by the Premier League. Previously, from 2011, Berrada was employed at City, ascending to the position of chief officer of football operations, prior to his switch to United in the summer. Importantly, there are no implications that he was in any way involved in any malpractice during his tenure with the reigning English champions.
Charges count up to 130 against City, and include the unwillingness to fully collaborate with the Premier League investigations, inflating sponsorship deal values aiding owner investments into the club and incomplete disclosure of player and manager pay over a prolonged duration.
The inquiry into the mentioned matters had its commencement in the previous month, with serious implications for City should they be declared guilty. There is a possibility of stripping titles, reducing points, or even ejecting them from the Premier League. Such a drastic move would leave the key players who managed the club having to address some serious queries.
Murray Rosen KC’s chosen impartial panel is supervising City’s case in a private session at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre. While consistently denying any misconduct, City extends their welcome to the unbiased review of the situation, stating that it can then “consider the substantial, indisputable evidence in favour of its stance”. A judgement is anticipated to emerge in early 2025.
Omar Berrada began his tenure at Manchester United in July, after completing the obligatory period of gardening leave at Manchester City. Interestingly, he’s not the solitary ex-City staff member now employed by United. The Old Trafford club also counts Jason Wilcox, a technical director, among their ranks who was at the Etihad Stadium for over 10 years in the club’s academy, before a stint at Southampton. Old Trafford has no apprehensions about him being under any sort of spotlight concerning City’s allegations either.