Manchester City players have been told they could have a legal case for tearing up their contracts, but that more consequences than just relegation may be required. The club have been found in breach of financial rules 114 times, though it is understood they will be appealing the decision.
Possible punishments and legal disputes
Multiple punishment verdicts have been issued since the news broke with a sizeable points deduction that causes relegation a possibility. However, any sanctions being imposed - alongside City's potential legal dispute with players and their contracts - will have to wait until the process is fully complete.
That could take several years, particularly given City's likely plans to appeal each individual charge. Legal action from other Premier League clubs has also been mooted with that being just another scenario that follows the appeal.
Players' contract rights
City may also have to answer to their own players, particularly if they are relegated as a result of the punishment dished out in a hearing. However, it has been revealed they may need to prove that the club's alleged conduct impacted their choice to either sign for or remain at City.
Via The Sunday Times, Kavan Bakhda, a partner and the head of sports at Mishcon de Reya, said: “Relegation would not give Manchester City’s players an automatic legal right to tear up their contracts and walk away. However, relegation could lead to thorny legal disputes between players and the club.
“If Manchester City were relegated because of serious wrongdoing by the club, players could in theory argue that the club’s conduct amounted to a fundamental breach entitling them to terminate their contracts. However, these would be relatively high legal thresholds for players to reach. Relegation alone would not necessarily be enough.”
Club's response
Despite the guilty verdict, City have protested their innocence since first being charged by the Premier League in February 2023. That stance was reiterated by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in a statement on Saturday as he stated that process has a long way to go.
Part of his comments, published on the club website, read: "I have been part of this Club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul. This Club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again - how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today."
Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.
"There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies."
