Gary Neville was absent from Sky Sports' coverage of Manchester City's match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, effectively getting his wish after he said he did not want to cover the club while its Premier League financial charges remain unresolved.
It was confirmed in September that City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. The reigning champions continue to deny any wrongdoing and lodged an appeal just days after the verdict was announced.
Appeal process and potential sanctions
Under Premier League regulations, the appeal process should be concluded within 12 weeks, after which an independent panel has a further 30 days to deliver its final ruling. If the appeal is unsuccessful, City could face severe sanctions, including a significant points deduction, a hefty financial penalty or even expulsion from the Premier League.
With the legal battle still unresolved, Neville made his feelings clear on the situation. He said: "We were just doing the podcast then and said if you could take me off Manchester City games moving forward for the next few months until the verdicts have been heard, I would be absolutely delighted."
Neville's conflicted stance
Explaining his conflicted stance, Neville added: "At the end of the game it is quite hard because you are imagining basically if these guilty verdicts are confirmed in January or February then Manchester City are not going to be in the position they are in and there is going to be a huge cloud hanging over the whole league, which is not good for the Premier League right now and that is what I have just recognised today."
Neville was absent from the commentary team for Nottingham Forest's 3-1 victory over City on Saturday afternoon. The fixture marked City's first appearance on Sky Sports, excluding the Carabao Cup, since the former Manchester United defender expressed his reluctance to cover their matches while the charges remain unresolved.
Sky Sports confirmed that Neville missed the fixture because he was carrying out broadcasting commitments for NBC in the United States. The MEN understands that Neville has not formally requested to be taken off City's games, but his absence effectively gave him his wish this weekend.
Sympathy for players and staff
Neville has also expressed sympathy for City's current players and coaching staff, insisting they should not be subjected to the same criticism and frustration aimed at those running the club.
"That's the problem for the Man City staff, players and supporters; they are blameless in all of this," the United icon continued. "The stain, stigma, reputational damage that hits them, it's nothing to do with them, but they have to face it on the pitch, in the stadium, week after week."
The long wait continues for City and co. as uncertainty surrounding the club's future remains, with players, staff and supporters still awaiting a definitive outcome to a saga that has cast a shadow over the Etihad Stadium. A final decision on City's sanctions and appeal is expected in the New Year, with the club potentially facing punishments ranging from a hefty fine or points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.
