Jose Mourinho demands Man United bonus as Arsenal await Man City FFP hearing verdict
Jose Mourinho says he would expect a Premier League winners’ medal should Manchester City be stripped of their titles if found guilty of severe financial breaches.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss finished second with Manchester United during the 2017/18 season, something which he has previously referred to as one of his best achievements. United still finished some 19 points behind City, who achieved a century of points that term.
“We won the Europa League and finished second in the Premier League,” Fenerbahce boss Mourinho said ahead of Thursday’s European home clash with United. “I think we still have a chance to win that league, maybe they punish Manchester City with points, we win that league. They have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal."
It is unclear whether the Premier League has the power to directly strip Man City of titles if they are found guilty of the more grievous financial charges. Man City strongly deny any wrongdoing and are currently battling the Premier League in the ongoing commission case.
The hearing began last month and is expected to last around 10 weeks, although a verdict is not anticipated until next year. The allegations - which were first brought forward in February 2023 - comprise more than 100 accusations for the period between 2009 and 2018.
If City are found guilty, the degree of punishment will likely relate to which and how many of the allegations were proven. The charges can largely be split into three categories; illicit financing, uncooperation and the breaching of finance rules.
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The Premier League handbook says an appointed commission has the power to directly deduct points and hand out fines, and can also recommend league expulsion. It is not known if points penalties can be enacted retrospectively or whether titles can be directly stripped.
Rule W51.10 in the Premier League handbook says the commission can “make such other order as it thinks fit”, though this clause does not appear under the subsection whereby the ‘respondent’ is a club, rather than individuals.
Furthermore, it is unclear whether clubs who finished second in the corresponding seasons would be handed the title, or whether the campaign would be trophyless. Arsenal came runners-up to Man City for the last two seasons, but these fall outside of the allegation time period.
Between 2009 and 2018, Man City lifted the title in 2012, 2014 and 2018. United finished runners-up twice while Liverpool earned second in 2014. If City are found guilty of severe breaches, rivals may opt to sue the club for loss of earnings as a result of breaching regulations.