Manchester City are reportedly unlikely to be stripped of Premier League titles won during the period of their alleged financial rule breaches. The club have been found guilty of 114 charges, with the investigation covering a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
Four league titles were won during those seasons, along with several other domestic trophies. However, the success has been overshadowed since February 2023, when City were charged by the Premier League.
Appeal and Punishment Theories
An eight-week hearing followed 18 months later, and the outcome has now been revealed. City are understood to be appealing against the decision, but that has not stopped punishment theories being put forward.
A huge fine, transfer ban and sizeable points deduction have all been suggested over the last few years if City were found guilty of just one financial rule break. The fact that they have been found to have breached the rules on 114 occasions has increased the demand for them to be stripped of Premier League titles.
However, according to The Times, it is thought to be unlikely that City will be stripped of that silverware. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all finished second to them in recent Premier League seasons, though the former were not directly impacted during seasons in which rules were breached.
Club Statement and Denial
Following the verdict, City's statement via a spokesperson read: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023."
"The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
City have denied the charges against them throughout the process and have at least been found not guilty of one charge, with it claimed by The Financial Times that this was one of the most serious alleged breaches against City.
Potential Legal Action and Next Steps
The club will be hoping that their appeal is somewhat successful, while other Premier League clubs are awaiting the outcome before taking legal action, as per The Athletic. Their report has stated that a class action against City could happen if Premier League clubs impacted come together.
United, specifically, have been considering their own options for some time regarding the impact of City's alleged financial breaches on their own success, as per another report from The Athletic.
It is unclear exactly what will happen over the coming months, with the extended international break meaning that City do not play for two weeks and Enzo Maresca won't speak to the press for at least 10 days. The first clash back is against Liverpool at Anfield, with the long-running rivalry between the two during the period in which City's alleged rule breaches took place adding some extra spice to the clash.
