La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for Manchester City to be given the strongest possible sanctions for their alleged 114 financial breaches. The outcome of the Premier League's investigation was leaked last Friday, with the club found guilty, and Tebas has now urged the independent commission to hand out a significant punishment.
Tebas calls for exemplary punishment
Speaking at the FIFPRO performance summit in London, Tebas said he believes the punishment should be the strictest available under Premier League regulations. He stated: "I don't know the exact rules, but I believe it should be the strictest punishment in the Premier League regulations regarding this matter. It should be a punishment intended to set an example."
Tebas added: "This isn't a matter of a father and his children – it is a punishment to ensure rules are followed. And violating the rules for over 10 years – no matter how minor the infractions – is a very serious matter. Therefore it has to be a severe punishment for the non-compliance. Not just to set an example, but because the rules were broken."
Wider impact on European football
He also highlighted the broader significance of the case, saying: "We have to decide whether we strive for sustainable, clean football across all competitions or, as many clubs are now saying, we accept that championships were lost to other clubs when they shouldn't have been."
Tebas described what has happened as "hugely significant" and expressed hope it marks a turning point for the Premier League and European football as a whole, noting that the "Manchester effect" was felt across Europe.
