Former Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves argues that if Manchester City are found guilty of breaching financial regulations, they should be relegated from the Premier League.
Twelve months have passed since City were accused of violating 115 financial fair play rules between 2009 and 2018. The club refutes every accusation.
With Everton losing 10 points, the argument for City has regained attention. The Toffees are awaiting the result of their appeal against the punishment. Additional charges have been brought against them and Nottingham Forest.
Given the harshness of Everton’s punishment, there is a need for City to be demoted if they are proven guilty—possibly by several levels. Shreeves has given his opinion on the subject.
Speaking to Lucky Block, he said: “The Everton and Manchester City charges are very different. You can’t compare the two directly and Everton were in dialogue with the Premier League all the way through their process.
“I think with Manchester City, it will come to court but not for two years at least. It’s a long, a long, long way down the road. I don’t see that the Premier League would have any other option [than to relegate City if they are found guilty].
“They’ve set a precedent with Everton with those points deductions. They primarily pushed for a 12-point deduction. So it has to be a possibility, it has to be.”
Guardiola has stated that, should City be relegated to League One—a division the team hasn’t played in since 1998–1999—he will remain with the team.
A lot of Premier League teams, including pundit Gary Neville, have called for the league to fast track City’s case so that other clubs can get clarity over the matter.
