For years, an independent commission has investigated Manchester City’s alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. Recently, the team has been found guilty of all charges, suddenly finding itself in an incredibly tough position. While its officials have already announced that the result will be appealed, following the announcement, fans began wondering what would constitute an appropriate punishment for the decorated club.
The situation that Manchester City has found itself in is incredibly complex. Tens of thousands of documents were presented to the independent commission in charge of the case.
What is important to know is that the Premier League has confirmed that Manchester City has been found guilty of virtually all charges related to breaching its financial rules between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. Through sham agreements, contracts, and deals, the team was involved in a “disguised funding scheme” that helped increase its income by over 800 million pounds. It artificially inflated its earnings while reducing visible costs and hiding the true state of its finances.
Manchester City has the opportunity to appeal the decision, and its officials have already confirmed that they plan to do so. Although the process could take some time, the Premier League’s statement included a section related to its wish for it to be carried out as soon as possible. This could mean a strong desire to resolve the situation and determine the consequences before the start of the next football season.
The independent commission will be engaged in a separate hearing regarding the sanctions that could be imposed on the club. Since the Premier League does not have predetermined sanctions for breaches of financial rules, there are multiple possibilities when it comes to the consequences that Manchester City could face. The commission could fine the club, deduct points, or even expel it from the league. The future of the team could differ drastically depending on the avenue of punishment deemed the most fitting.
One of the most commonly mentioned possibilities is that of Manchester City receiving a points deduction significant enough for them to automatically fall into the relegation zone. This would mean that the team would spend the following season in the Championship and return to the Premier League a year later, as it is highly probable that they would finish at the top of the lower league.
This is a punishment that would have significant consequences for Manchester City, but it is one that some fans deem unsatisfactory. While it would take them out of contention in the Premier League for two seasons, the one in which they would receive the punishment and the one spent in the Championship, it would also give the club a clear and relatively short timeline for a return to the top.
If its players knew that they would only need to wait two years before returning to the fight for the Premier League title, they would likely be more willing to stay a part of the team, provided it can still fulfil its financial obligations towards them. That, in turn, would increase the chances of Manchester City returning to its current position as one of the top teams, instead of returning to the midfield, where they were before they decided to cheat.
The second discussed punishment is having Manchester City expelled from the Premier League. This would be an extremely drastic measure that would require the club to submit a reapplication to the English Football League. The EFL would then get to decide whether they want to accept the application and where to place the disgraced team. This could mean a drop of several levels down the order.
In this scenario, the consequences for Manchester City could be much more significant than in the previous one, as they could take them out of contention for multiple seasons. Should the team tumble so far from the pinnacle of football, it is certain that many, if not all, of its significant players would choose to abandon the sinking ship. Then, it could end up being all but impossible for the former giants to return to their previous position.
Then there is a less obvious approach put forward by fans and football experts alike. Instead of deducting a relegation-ensuring number of points from the current season, as was suggested in the first solution, it points towards deducting 20 or 30 points each Premier League season for the next few years. The exact number, as well as the timeframe would have to be decided by the independent comission.
While this option may seem the least obvious or conventional, those who consistently follow the Premier League often regard it as the fairest. Although such a deduction would likely keep Manchester City in the league, it would make it virtually impossible for the team to win the title or finish in a position that would allow the club to advance to the Champions League.
Chances are that without the incentive of fighting for the title, many of the team’s best players would choose to leave in search of better opportunities. It is likely that the team would then slowly but surely lose its status as one of the giants and return to the midfield, where it has been before it first cheated.
When asked what’s the best way forward, different people woul give drastically different answers. In my eyes, the third option could provide the most rational compromise. It is no secret that losing Manchester City would be a big hit to the Premier League, simply because of the revenue it is able to generate.
Should the club be put at a disadvantage, the fans of the teams hurt by its cheating would get the satisfaction of seeing it struggle, while the league could still benefit from having it as a part of it. Of course, it is quite sad that the money and financial gains of the officials in charge are something that needs to be considered in such conversations, but realistically, it is something that will undoubtedly have an impact on the final verdict.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
