Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has claimed that Manchester City will receive 'huge fines' for their financial breaches, with legal proceedings potentially concluding within weeks. The ex-England international made the remarks on talkSPORT on Monday (October 19), as the Premier League leaders appeal the 114 charges they were found guilty of by an independent commission.
City have been accused of using 'sham' contracts to artificially inflate their revenue by more than £900million, breaking top-flight spending limits, and not fully cooperating with the investigation. Suspected punishments range from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the top-flight and English Football League (EFL).
Keown predicts fines over expulsion
Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown said: "They're resolute, they believe that they're right, and their owners are giving them that firm message, 'irrefutable evidence' will be revealed, so they're holding onto that. There is a feeling... I'm hearing rumours that this will all be over in a number of weeks.
"I'm just telling you what I'm hearing. In six weeks or so, we'll see what's going to happen, and it won't be nearly as bad as we think it might be. Maybe they get off with huge fines and we return to the football pitch again."
Clubs fear delayed punishment
As revealed by The Telegraph over the weekend, Premier League clubs are reportedly fearing that City will not be punished until next season. Concerns have been raised over the legitimacy of this season's Premier League with City top and undefeated in seven matches.
Several top-flight clubs are said to be angered at City's unwillingness to agree a settlement that would begin concluding legal matters and lift the uncertainty surrounding the league. The Telegraph also reported that City remain bullish in their efforts to win their appeal, basing their case on contemporaneous bank statements, government records, and receipts confirming the Abu Dhabi government as the source of funds.
City's on-pitch response
City feel there are 'fundamental inconsistencies' in the panel's findings and are willing to present more recent evidence from the Abu Dhabi government. On the pitch, the team faced hostility at Anfield but came through unscathed, beating 10-man Liverpool 3-0.
Manager Enzo Maresca feels the team are stronger as a result of the criticism. He said: "There is noise around the club but we need to try and make our noise and that means win at Anfield and to try to win tomorrow (against Ipswich). This is the way we can make our noise. This different kind of noise, we are not able to control that.
"I think Ruben said that people don't like City winning but we like to win. I think that it's a good message for everyone. Since the noise, I can see from my personal point of view the fans, the club, the team more together but we will see."
