Manchester City have been found to have breached Premier League rules on 114 occasions, according to reports that emerged on Friday. The charges relate to alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018, and the club has maintained its innocence throughout the process.
Speculation about potential punishments has ranged from a points deduction to the stripping of past Premier League titles, or even expulsion from the top flight altogether. The club is expected to appeal the outcome.
Reader poll: majority back relegation
With uncertainty surrounding the situation, Mirror Football asked readers what punishment they think would be appropriate for City if they are found guilty. More than 5,000 readers voted, and 43 percent believe City should be automatically relegated from the Premier League.
Twenty-six percent of voters think City should be stripped of their Premier League titles, while 16 percent believe the club will not be punished and will appeal the decision. A further 10 percent think a points deduction will be the outcome, and 5 percent believe the punishment will be a significant fine.
Chairman insists club will prove innocence
City maintain their innocence despite the reports of a guilty verdict. Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak wrote an open letter to supporters this weekend, acknowledging the media reporting and the questions it has raised.
“Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began,” he said.
Al Mubarak added that the strict confidentiality of the legal process prevents him from sharing more details, and that even his letter underwent several legal checks to ensure compliance. He asked supporters to read the club’s Friday statement and the one issued in February 2023, saying “every word matters and holds true.”
“While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity,” he wrote.
Al Mubarak also pointed to upcoming fixtures after the international break, including a trip to Anfield and a Champions League match against Paris St Germain at the Etihad Stadium, as opportunities to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.
