Premier League clubs reportedly want the strongest punishment possible for Man City if found guilty

Robert Redmond

Man City are alleged to have broken Premier League rules.

Several Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be removed from the division if they are found guilty of breaking league rules, according to reports.

On Monday, the Premier League announced that after a four-year investigation, Man City had been charged with 101 alleged breaches of financial rules. The charges relate to the period from the 2009/10 season to the 2017/18 campaign.

Man City, who have won the Premier League six times since they were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, responded by saying they are ‘surprised’ by the charges.

The Premier League have referred Man City to an independent commission, which can impose punishments that range from a fine to a points deduction and even expulsion from the Premier League.

In summary, some of the main rule breaches Man City have been accused of by the Premier League are:

The Premier League say that the club breached rules which required them to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position.” This charge relates to club revenue including sponsorship income and operating costs.
Man City have been accused of breaking rules relating to rules regarding player remuneration from the 2009/10 season to the 2012/13 campaign, and manager remuneration from the same seasons.
The club have been accused of breaking rules related to Uefa regulations including Financial Fair Play rules from 2013/14 to 2017/18.
Man City have been accused of breaking Premier League profitability and sustainability rules from 2015/16 to 2017/18.

Man City have also been accused of not cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation.

Many Premier League clubs want the strongest punishment possible for Man City if they are found guilty and for them to be kicked out of the league, according to Sky Sports.

Some of the other members of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ are said to be pushing hardest for Man City to be punished if they’re found guilty.

There is said to be a feeling that rescinding the club’s Premier League titles won during the stated period would be ‘meaningless and cause confusion’.

There is also understood to be a recognition that it would be pointless to fine a club that has spent over £2b on players in the last 15 years.

According to reports, the English Football League would be under no obligation to accept the club should the Premier League expel them.

The feeling around many other Premier League sides is that they want Manchester City relegated if they are found guilty of the charges and they don’t want to change old league tables.

Some of the members of the ‘big 6’ are pushing hardest for this. 👀

[via @SkyKaveh]. pic.twitter.com/o7XLrVEtOX

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 7, 2023

In 2020, Uefa ruled that Man City were guilty of breaching FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016 and banned the club from European competition for two years. This ban was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Man City will be able to appeal the final judgement of the independent commission, but, unlike Uefa’s ruling, they will not be able to take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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