An Express Sport poll has overwhelmingly told the Premier League to strip Manchester City of titles from the period of alleged financial wrongdoing. Of more than 4,000 people who voted, 74 per cent said the club should have titles removed.
City were found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period by an independent commission, as well as charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the investigation. The club have appealed the decision, with the hierarchy adamant they are innocent.
Poll result clashes with reports
The period in question stretches from 2009 to 2018, which included three Premier League title wins. City also lifted three League Cups and an FA Cup in that time, though stripping those would require the EFL and FA to implement a sanction of their own.
The result of the poll flies in the face of reports that there does not seem to be any appetite from within the Premier League – both the organisation and the clubs – to retrospectively strip titles. However, it is not the clubs nor the organisation that decide what happens, as the independent commission will host a sanctions hearing to finalise a punishment.
Guardiola backs the club
Pep Guardiola, whose first Premier League title arrived in 2017/18, has weighed in on the situation, issuing a defiant statement in support of the City board. The Catalan, who took charge in 2016, wrote on social media: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.
"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, [manager] Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
City do not return to Premier League action until next weekend, when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. After that, it is back-to-back home matches, first against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, before welcoming Ipswich Town to the Etihad Stadium the following weekend.
