Gary Neville has warned the Premier League that a decision must be reached on Manchester City’s appeal or the league risks facing 'absolute uproar'. City were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges brought against them, and the club has confirmed it has lodged an appeal, with a fresh hearing scheduled.
Speaking on the Overlap Daily, Neville said it would be difficult for everyone in football to watch City win the league this year, calling it a psychological problem for the game. He stressed that the Premier League cannot allow the case to run until the end of the season, warning that if City lift the trophy in May without a verdict, there will be uproar.
Neville calls for verdict by February or March
The former Manchester United defender insisted the case must be dealt with by February or March. He acknowledged that due process must happen and that City believe they will get off the charges, but he argued that the season cannot end with City winning the title without a verdict being delivered.
No punishment has been handed out yet, although relegation, points deductions, and the stripping of titles have all been suggested as possible outcomes. Neville believes stripping titles is the most obvious route, and he has also called for the club’s owners to be removed as a consequence.
Neville suggests owners should go and titles stripped
Neville said the owners should go, titles should be stripped for the relevant period, and there should be a multi-year points punishment. He noted that owners and executives are likely to struggle to remain in place if the same test he follows as a director and owner is applied consistently.
He said he is not fixated on relegating City to League One or League Two, as he wants the club to return to the Premier League. Neville mentioned speaking to a City fan who said supporters plan to wear retro kits on Sunday to show their love for the club, and he wished them luck if that is what they do.
Neville added that he understands why the Premier League, politicians, and regulators are concerned about the impact of removing the owners, given the enormous economic consequences for the club, the city, and the east side of Manchester. He concluded that this is the context, even though he has been clear about the punishment he believes should happen.
