Schwarzer's verdict on 'seismic' Manchester City scandal & what it could mean for City Football Group in Australia

Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has declared Manchester City's guilty verdict as "as big a scandal" as the competition has ever seen. Speaking on the debut episode of The Mark Schwarzer Podcast on Football360, which will be released on Thursday afternoon, the Socceroos icon, who has played more Premier League games than any Australian, and sits in the top 10 for appearances of any player for all time, declared that unless Manchester City's appeal overturns the "vast majority" of the charges, the consequences are going to be "seismic".

Schwarzer, who initially thought the longer that the review lingered that perhaps the allegations would not stick, added that the entire City Football Group network, including in Australia, should come under the microscope if the guilty verdict is not overturned. "I don't there hasn't been a as big a scandal as this," he said, adding that even though Manchester City are strenuously denying the claims, "it looks really bad and damaging".

I want every single@ManCityfan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.

Let me be clear: we will get through this together. com/jmMvwbykqv - PepTeam (@PepTeam) September 30, 2026 "It's seismic, isn't it," he added.

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Given the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest have been docked Premier League points in recent seasons, speculation is already mounting over what punishment City could cop for the conduct between 2009-10 to 2017-18. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the case, and the decision, as "the most significant in Premier League history", with the league's investigation having started back in 2018.

More than 100 charges were laid against City in February 2023, with the commission hearing the case between September and December 2024. The same commission which has given its decision will now consider what sanctions should be imposed, while the club immediately confirmed their intention to appeal, saying the decision "contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe".

Schwarzer added that if these charges are not overturned, the punishment will inevitably be "game changing". Suggestions have veered from as drastic as expulsion, to a points deduction that would almost certainly lead to relegation, to crippling fines as well as the stripping of their Premier League titles.

"If the charges stick and the vast majority of charges stick, it has to be monumental," he continued. "The fines, the repercussions, the punishment has to be monumental for the integrity of the sport.

"The other big problem I see is - and we're jumping ahead of ourselves, but if they are to be found guilty in all charges after this independent committee - where is the trust? Manchester City chiefs have to land an appeal to see this overturned."