Brutal relegation, tainted titles, financial blow - Man City 115 charges punishment verdict

Six years since information was brought to light and almost two years on from the Premier League's bombshell announcement Manchester City were being charged with 115 counts of alleged financial wrongdoing, a legal hearing has ended. Last week, the first Friday in December, the closing arguments were completed.

The situation is now this; a three-man independent panel must now review each and every single charge - which is actually closer to 130 than the initially reported 115 due to an error - to determine what the verdict will be. Outside of the courtroom many have already made their judgements.

Pep Guardiola himself has admitted that he believes City's rivals - including Liverpool - are keen to see the winners in five of the past six league seasons punished. Should they be found guilty of any allegations, let alone all of the charges, they can face serious repercussions.

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Whilst no case before has set the precedent for one such as this, it is thought that the rulebook would allow for not only huge monetary punishment via fines, but also registration bans, points deductions, relegation and the retrospective stripping of titles. Never before has a club faced such an array of possible retribution for what, in effect, would be cheating.

Unlike with the profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs), which Everton and Nottingham Forest have notably been punished for breaking, Man City are accused of misleading the league. It must be stressed it fis something they strongly deny and have done throughout the process.

Soon enough - with an appeal likely to follow any decision coming in 2025 - the world will find out what the panel deems fact. What, though, do The ECHO's writers think of the situation?

James Quinlan

Yes, this case has dragged on longer than needed though I am not actually wanting the independent panel to rush this one just to get over the final hurdle before the end of the season. It is their job now to review every single charge, so let them do it and come to the correct conclusion.

It sounds like we’re going to have appeals as Man City maintain their innocence and the Premier League look to stamp down their authority, so this case isn’t getting shut down any time soon.

Once coming to terms with that, punishments can be speculated. Relegation from the Premier League just seems impossible to enforce looking at how Everton’s punishments were handled, but given this is the most serious set of charges stuck on a football club in history, I see no viable alternative.

Titles can be stripped, though I don’t see teams like Liverpool celebrating winning the 2013/14 season in the present day - it just means Man City’s titles will be tainted. Transfer bans, fines, yes they are a form of punishment but Man City’s riches mean they will bounce back in no time.

There is only one punishment that means anything, now it is up to the outcome to be determined. If the club do fall foul, the harshest of penalties must be exacted.

Kieran Horn

The final outcome of Manchester City's legal case against the Premier League could be some way off with numerous mitigating factors at play. Though a verdict could actually arrive in just a few months, appeals could be lodged from either side which would further delay proceedings and the possibility of a serious punishment.

Given the 130 alleged breaches, it is difficult to imagine the Premier League's lawyers have not been able to prove rules have been broken, though City vehemently deny that any wrongdoing has occurred.

With that being said, making a case for the more serious charges is seemingly where difficulty lies and thus a punishment as severe as Premier League expulsion is very difficult to imagine. A fine, and a hefty one at that, is perhaps the most feasible outcome but it could bring into question titles won during that period.

If that is the case, it is entirely possible a whole new process begins with it honestly looking it will take years for this matter to be fully resolved.

Amie Wilson

It’s a difficult situation to judge as there’s no real precedent to what could happen if Man City are found guilty of at least some of the charges. They do, of course, deny all charges and could yet be cleared of any wrongdoing.

However, if the ruling goes against them, then I think the punishment needs to reflect the seriousness of the breaches. Looking at the punishments given to both Everton and Nottingham Forest for just one breach, it’s only fair to those clubs.

For me, a big fine wouldn’t do the job, Man City’s owners would just be able to take the hit and carry on. Referencing back again to Everton and Forest, the only thing I can see working is a huge points deduction.

The scale of the allegations - which again, City deny - mean that the points deduction would have to probably be enough to put the club in danger of relegation (especially given their current form).

The most important thing for me though is that the situation gets sorted before the end of the current season, including appeals. Having it drag on until the next campaign would leave somewhat of a cloud lingering over the Premier League.

For certainty around all clubs, the situation now needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. It’s gone on for way too long already. It is however likely to linger on for longer given appeals and possible legal action from other clubs should the charges be correct.

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Tom Coley

Liverpool, more than most, will be keen to see any possible retribution applied firmly to City. If found guilty, and it is still a giant if, then a slap on the wrists will not do.

Relegation would serve as a strong punishment that cannot simply be paid or even played through like a fine or points deduction. Stripping titles would taint the reputation during a period of immense success. Would it really make a difference to Liverpool fans and players if they were retrospectively awarded the league instead?

It would be strange to have potentially upwards of three winners left blank in the record books but that might be what has to happen, here. There isn't going to be a sense of accomplishment in giving out to second-place teams who have already been through the emotional turmoil of going so close but falling short.

We're in this for the long-haul, though. The hope is for an applied sanction before the end of the season but with appeals and counter appeals it's not likely to happen. Simon Jordan suggested it could be 2030 before we get something approaching closure on the topic.

Hannah Pinnock

The sheer scale of the allegations levelled against Manchester City necessitates that the punishment, should they be found guilty of even a portion of the charges, is proportional and meaningful.

In my opinion, relegation from the Premier League or a points deduction severe enough to threaten relegation is the only way to truly reflect the gravity of the situation. A financial penalty, no matter how hefty, would be little more than a slap on the wrist for a club of City’s wealth.

Similarly, transfer bans could hinder them in the short term, but it would be far from a definitive deterrent for a club with their resources and infrastructure.

The process has already stretched on for years, and it’s likely that appeals will prolong it further. But, it’s worth remembering the ramifications, whichever way the verdict falls, will ripple across the Premier League, and the football world, for years to come. Getting it right is more important than getting it done quickly.

Josh Holland

It really is so difficult to have any sort of idea what is going to come Man City's way. But what is apparent, especially for Liverpool, is that they can't just receive a small, financial, punishment.

If they are found guilty, then the punishment will be unknown. Is relegation the right way to go? A lot of people think so, but I'm unsure. How that impacts the teams in League Two, or below, could be huge.

In terms of Liverpool, how would they feel about being awarded the league? Would it really feel the same? A points deduction is unlikely, especially if they are found severely guilty.

Nevertheless, it seems like dropping City down the divisions is the most suitable punishment.

Jack Flintham

If, and at this stage it remains a big if, City are found guilty of the charges set against them in February 2023, the Premier League will be eager to throw the book at them and in some ways, who could blame them. The Premier League will not want to look intentionally weak and as such, a fine seems rather pointless considering the wealth of their owners.

Automatic demotion, albeit pleasing for rival fans, does not sit well with me either. Just taking City out of the top flight automatically would cause carnage to the entirety of the football system and in all honesty would be pointless as back-to-back-to-back promotions would be almost guaranteed.

My idea would be for a lengthy transfer embargo and a points deduction. The embargo would be a stricter punishment to that which Everton received and it would eventually redress the balance in the top flight.

As for the points deduction, that would follow in line with the Premier League's usual punishments and while it is unlikely to relegate City it would most likely prevent them from the riches of Europe next season.