Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for Manchester City to be stripped of titles, relegated and issued with a huge fine. The club, which has always denied any wrongdoing, now faces a nervous wait for its punishment after being found to have breached 114 Premier League financial rules.
Guilty verdict and potential sanctions
The panel found that City breached the regulations over nine years between 2009 and 2018, with the club originally charged in 2023. It is understood that the East Manchester club will appeal the verdict.
Speculation is now growing over whether the Blues could be stripped of titles from the period they have been found to have breached top-flight rules. Relegation, a huge points deduction and possibly a fine are also on the cards, with a panel set to decide their fate - the outcome of which will depend on an appeal.
Corbyn's proposed punishment
Corbyn, an Arsenal fan and now independent MP, has had his say to The Standard on what City's punishment should be. He said: “This is a seismic judgement which demands seismic consequences. That includes a significant points deduction that results in their inevitable relegation.
“There should also be a substantial fine, the proceeds of which should all go to grassroots football,” which he later stressed should be in the millions of pounds.
He added: “The league should also seriously consider stripping them of their titles. If their titles weren’t won fairly, why should they keep them? Remember, underneath these breaches are countless trophies and titles that other clubs and fans should have celebrated.”
He also argued that “greed and selfishness in the Premier League is out of control”.
City's response
Meanwhile, City chief Ferran Soriano reportedly told bosses at rival European clubs that the club's legal battle against the Premier League will "take a lot more time" before being over. It is claimed, via the Press Association, he felt the need to comment on the news from last week while at the European Football Clubs board in Copenhagen on Monday.
He reportedly said: “It’s taken eight years to get here, and it’s going to take a lot more time.”
