Scottish football icon Pat Nevin has warned Manchester City that they could face a fate similar to Rangers, who were sent to the bottom of the Scottish football league system after their financial meltdown in 2012. Nevin's comments come as City await their punishment for 114 breaches of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, with a decision expected in December.
Rangers as a cautionary tale
Nevin pointed to Rangers' experience as a prime example of what could happen to City if they are 'hoofed to the bottom' like the Ibrox side. In 2012, Rangers were banished to the very bottom of the SPFL, and there have been calls to give City, who won two league titles during the nine-year period under scrutiny, the same treatment.
There has also been talk of retrospectively stripping titles and docking points, with an anticipated appeal period to follow the December verdict. Nevin, speaking to Casino Hawks, said: "It's very difficult. You do look for what has happened in other countries. I mean, I look to Scotland, what happened to Rangers when they had their financial meltdown and they went all the way down to the basement."
Draconian punishments and title concerns
Nevin described the treatment of Everton and Nottingham Forest as "draconian" and "really over the top" for their offences. He noted: "It was initially a ten-point deduction for Everton. Now, if you extrapolate one misdemeanor, ten points, and then 115 if you do that simple, stupid math, which doesn't work. But it makes you immediately think, 'Yeah, that makes it a possibility that anything could happen to Manchester City.'"
On the potential stripping of titles, Nevin suggested that fans of other clubs might view them as "ghost titles," while City supporters would likely stand by their team. He added: "So serious consequences, titles might feel like that, if they EPL take them off them. Huge fine, absolute stick-on if it comes through as guilty after the appeal. Demotion, don't be surprised. I don't think anybody would be surprised if that happens as well."
