Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has warned that the Premier League must determine Manchester City's punishment quickly, or fans "can’t trust it and won’t watch it anymore."
City were recently found guilty of 114 financial rule breaches by an independent commission. The case had dragged on for years, and the club's decision to appeal could extend the saga further. The Premier League, facing questions over the integrity of their own competition, are now under pressure to act.
Glasner's warning on delays
Glasner has experience with governing body rulings, having led Crystal Palace when they were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League. He insists fans around the world are watching England's top flight and struggling to comprehend City's position.
He said: “Let’s wait until the final verdict is spoken, but my wish is just that this is quick, because we didn’t know with Palace if we were in the Europa League or Conference League and then it was ‘you will hear on Thursday’ and then that became Monday, because it was always delayed. Then we got the final verdict ten days before the Conference League started.
“And that’s why I think this must be [completed] as soon as possible. There is still damage for the Premier League, not just in England. It’s a big topic all over the world, especially in Europe. The most important thing is the integrity of the league because as soon as the fans can’t trust it, they won’t watch it anymore.”
Forest's own points deduction
The Times reports that Forest, whom Glasner joined in the summer, have pointed to their own points deduction as proof of how quickly the Premier League can act if they wish. The City Ground team received a four-point deduction in March 2024 for a breach of the league’s financial rules in the 2022-23 season, which ultimately had no impact on them remaining in the league or missing out on Europe.
There are calls for City to face a mammoth punishment, extending far beyond the financial. A major points deduction could make relegation inevitable, which would be one of the biggest calls ever made in English football. Stripping them of titles won during their guilty period, which began in 2009 and ended in 2018, is also a possibility.
As things stand, City are the only team in the Premier League with a perfect record from five games and sit top, three points clear of Arsenal.
