Premier League clubs pushing for massive punishment if Manchester City fail with guilty verdict appeal
Premier League clubs are reportedly pushing for Manchester City to be punished sufficiently after they were alleged to have had over 100 breaches of the Premier League rules over nine seasons even as City lawyers prepare to lodge an appeal. City are alleged to have flouted the top flight's financial rules during the period from 2009-10 and 2017-18.
An independent commission found the Citizens to have made 'sham' contracts with their commercial partners as part of a "disguised funding scheme" to artificially raise the club's revenues by £830 million, as per Sky Sports. The eight-time Premier League champions have denied all the charges, with their legal team preparing for an appeal and sanctions hearing, according to Sky Sports.
Concerned about the damage inflicted on the Premier League's integrity, other clubs want City to face a punishment commensurate with their wrongdoing even as City are banking on "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to prove their innocence. Most clubs reckon relegating City for one season following a points deduction might not be punishment enough.
It's pertinent to note that no other club except City will be involved during the sanction hearing, which is expected to take place while the appeal process continues. The Premier League board will eventually decide the sanction or quantum of punishment for City if they are found guilty of the alleged breaches.
However, with both sides allowed to appeal the decision, the dispute could run for over a year. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher offers thoughts on Manchester City's alleged breaches Manchester City vs Real Madrid C.
During the 2009-2018 period, City won three Premier League titles, including one under legendary manager Pep Guardiola, who left the Etihad this summer after 10 years in charge. "There's an appeal, but now that they've got a big guilty verdict initially, now I don't think anybody wants to wait," Carragher told Sky Sports.
"It has to be done this season, because Man City need to be affected for next season. He added: I know the word at the moment is sham; it'll almost make the Premier League of this season, the title to be won would be a sham, if Man City went on to win that league with what we know has gone on.
So it has to be done this season, and I think the punishment, whatever it should be, I don't think it can be a one-off punishment for one season, because this has gone on for years and years, so I think the punishment should go on for years and years." Manchester City are leading the 2026-27 Premier League standings after five games, winning all of them, leading second-placed holders Arsenal by three points.