Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy believes Manchester City will face a huge triple punishment after reports suggested they have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 Premier League financial charges. However, he says it would be pointless to strip any titles from the Etihad Stadium outfit.
Multiple outlets have stated City have been found guilty by an independent panel on all but one of the charges, which related to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018. The Premier League will now decide on suitable sanctions, with clubs reportedly told at a meeting on Thursday that a resolution had been reached.
Murphy's reaction to the verdict
Murphy said: “I’m really surprised to hear that they are guilty of all but one of the charges if I’m honest as they have always been so robust and adamant regarding their innocence. I do expect them to appeal and contrary to reports my gut feeling is that the process could be drawn out for quite some time.”
He added: “I think it’s pointless stripping them of titles that they’ve already won as the runners-up won’t feel any sense of satisfaction being given a title years later. The fans, players and staff never had the feeling or experience of winning said titles so it’s pointless to me.”
Predicted sanctions
Speaking to Snabbare, Murphy said: “My feeling is the Premier League will have to go strong but they are caught between a rock and hard place because ultimately a relegation of any sorts lessens their product and makes the league less competitive. That said I think they will probably relegate them to the Championship, impose some sort of transfer ban, and give them a huge, record-breaking fine to send a message to the whole of football.”
He continued: “I think their best hope is a big points deduction for this season and a record-breaking fine plus a year or two transfer ban.”
Club response and appeal
It is understood that City will appeal against the decision. After the news was broken by The Athletic, the club issued a statement that did not address whether they had been found guilty. It 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.”
City then published an open letter from chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak on Saturday, which said: “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.”
The investigation into City began after financial documents were leaked in November 2018 and has continued throughout a period in which they won a succession of major honours under Pep Guardiola, who left the club in the summer after a decade as manager. Liverpool were their main domestic competitors during that time, with the Reds winning one Premier League and being twice pipped by City despite earning more than 90 points.
Everton were deducted 10 points in November 2023 for breaching the Premier League's then Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), reduced to six on appeal. In April 2024 Everton were deducted two points for another breach, and the previous month Nottingham Forest were hit with a four-point deduction, upheld on appeal. City's first match after the international break sees them visit Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday, October 11.
