Manchester City may not be in Premier League next season if appeal fails: What to know
Manchester City could face an uncertain future in the Premier League if the club fails in its appeal against a landmark financial rules verdict.
City were found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations by an independent commission after a case that began with more than 100 charges against the club.
The club has denied wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict.
However, the possibility of a severe punishment has raised questions about whether Manchester City could remain in the Premier League next season.
Here is what to know about the case and what could happen to the club.
Manchester City were found guilty of financial breaches
The Premier League brought more than 100 charges against Manchester City in February 2023, covering alleged financial rule breaches between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
Following a lengthy hearing, an independent commission found City guilty of all the charges relating to serious financial breaches.
The commission found that the club had used what it described as a “disguised funding scheme”, involving sponsorship arrangements that artificially inflated its revenues.
According to the findings, more than £830 million of owner funding was allegedly disguised as sponsorship income. City has strongly rejected the allegations and continues to maintain its innocence.
City have appealed the verdict
Manchester City has now lodged an appeal against the independent commission’s decision.
The club’s appeal will be heard by a separate three-member panel under the Premier League’s rules.
City’s legal team is expected to challenge the commission’s findings and argue that there were errors in law and fact.
One of the arguments City is expected to pursue concerns the source of money used to support some sponsorship arrangements.
The club has previously argued that the additional funding came from the Abu Dhabi government rather than from its owner, an explanation rejected by the original commission.
What happens if City’s appeal fails?
If the appeal fails, Manchester City could face a range of sanctions.
These could include a substantial fine, points deduction, transfer restrictions, removal of titles and, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.
The exact punishment would be determined separately from the appeal.
A points deduction could have a major effect on City’s position in the league and could potentially result in relegation depending on how many points are removed.
Expulsion would be an even more serious punishment because it would mean City could be removed from the Premier League altogether.
Could Manchester City be expelled?
Yes, but expulsion would require an additional process.
Under Premier League rules, removing a club from the competition requires a special resolution backed by at least three-quarters of the clubs.
With 20 clubs in the Premier League, that means at least 15 clubs would have to vote in favour of expelling Manchester City.
However, reports suggest there is no expectation among some rival clubs that enough teams would support such a move.
Two senior executives at Premier League clubs were reported by Sky Sports as saying they would be surprised if 15 clubs voted to expel City.
That does not mean expulsion is impossible. It means the sanction would require a level of support from other clubs that may not currently exist.
Rival clubs are also considering legal action
The consequences could extend beyond the Premier League’s disciplinary process.
Several clubs have already instructed lawyers to examine whether they could bring claims against Manchester City if the guilty verdict is upheld.
The potential claims could relate to financial losses suffered by clubs that believe City’s alleged breaches affected their own sporting or commercial outcomes.
Players and agents are also reportedly exploring possible compensation claims, including claims linked to bonuses that may have been lost because of missed trophies or European qualification.
This means City could potentially face several legal battles even after the Premier League disciplinary process is concluded.
Why the appeal is important
The appeal is currently the biggest factor in determining what happens next.
If City overturn the guilty verdict, the threat of the most severe sanctions would be significantly reduced.
If the verdict is upheld, however, the club would move closer to a separate punishment process that could determine its future in English football.
City’s position remains that the verdict contains significant errors and that the club has evidence supporting its case.
The club therefore continues to fight the charges rather than accepting the commission’s findings.
Could City play in the Premier League next season?
At present, Manchester City remain a Premier League club and continue to compete in the ongoing season.
The club’s appeal means there is still no final punishment that would remove it from the competition.
However, if City lose the appeal and receive a sufficiently severe sporting sanction, their status for next season could become uncertain.
That sanction could range from a points deduction to relegation or, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.
The possibility of City not being in the Premier League next season therefore depends on two major stages: the outcome of their appeal and the punishment that would follow if the guilty verdict is upheld.
For now, Manchester City are fighting to overturn the verdict, while rival clubs and their lawyers are already considering what could follow if the appeal fails.
The final outcome could have consequences not only for City but also for the Premier League clubs, players and managers who believe they may have suffered losses as a result of the alleged financial breaches.