Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 Premier League charges relating to the 2009-18 period, and pundits are split on what punishment should follow. Ex-Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has issued the harshest verdict, calling for City to be expelled from the Football League entirely, while others have suggested points deductions, title removal and even the removal of the club's owners. City continue to maintain their innocence and have lodged an appeal against what they describe as "the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter".
Collymore calls for expulsion from EFL
Speaking to Canadasportsbetting, Collymore said he would exclude City from the Premier League for a period and expel them from the EFL, meaning they would have to start from the lowest National League and get promoted all the way back again. He argued that simply putting them in the Championship would not be a punishment because they would be back in a year or two.
Collymore also called for a financial punishment, suggesting City pay back sponsorship revenue, Premier League prize money and television money. He said he would come up with a figure that would be given to all the other teams that have lost points, got into the Championship or lost titles, sending a massive message that it does not matter the name of the club, it matters what that club has done. He argued he would make the same argument even if the guilty party was a club he had an association with.
Wright and Neville demand severe sanctions
Former Arsenal star Ian Wright, working as a pundit on England's UEFA Nations League match in the Czech Republic, called for major sanctions, describing it as "cheating on an industrial scale". He said an unprecedented punishment is required and called it a massive day for the Premier League, adding that they have taken on a whole country.
Gary Neville, the former Manchester United captain, argued on Stick to Football that the current owners need to be removed. He listed points deductions, fines, transfer bans and removing the titles - not giving them to others - as significant punishments, but said the only punishment that would be fair and the biggest consequence would be removing the owners. He said that is the only consequence he would be worried about as a Manchester City fan who wanted to keep the current investment.
Carragher and Shearer on length and speed
Jamie Carragher, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, argued the punishment should last over a number of years, three to five years, because the case has gone on for so long. He said players would move on in that time, but questioned how City could afford player wages without Premier League money, as they would have to abide by spending only what they bring in.
Alan Shearer, the Premier League's all-time top scorer, told Betfair that Manchester City deserves whatever punishment they get and has no one else to blame but themselves. He stressed the need to act quickly, saying the longer it drags on, the longer it damages English football and the Premier League, especially with City sitting top of the league and playing Liverpool next.
Keane and Pearce offer contrasting views
Roy Keane, speaking on ITV's coverage of Czech Republic vs England, said if he was a player he would be 100% sticking those medals in the bin, calling it cheating. He said it is very damaging for the league and that City deserve the punishment, but acknowledged questions remain about what happens to players who have been part of the problem.
Stuart Pearce, who had stints with City as a player and manager, shared his feelings on The Overlap Fan Debate, saying he hoped it is resolved quicker than his expectation and that he was saddened for football as a whole. He said the Premier League needs to put down almost an iron fist and send a message to all other clubs, adding that if there is a massive fine, he would like the money to go to good causes like grassroots football rather than being hovered up by the Premier League. He reflected on his time managing City when the club did not have a bean and he had to sell Shaun Wright-Phillips to prevent the club going bust, calling the club's journey incredible and saying time will tell.
