Manchester City Could Face Relegation Over Financial Charges, Former Chairman Suggests

Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein believes the club must lose its top-flight status after being found guilty of the vast majority of 115 Premier League financial rule-breaking charges.

Daily Mail Sport reported that the Premier League has succeeded in proving all of the substantive claims against Manchester City, though the club maintains its innocence and is expected to appeal the verdict. Bernstein, who served as City chairman from 1998 to 2003 and later as Football Association chair, argued that financial penalties alone would be insufficient given the club's wealth.

"Money doesn't mean very much as we saw in the last transfer window," Bernstein told talkSPORT. "We're talking about a club with limitless pockets – money doesn't mean very much... and whether it's [a fine of] £100m, £200m, that would not be sufficient."

He suggested that sanctions could include a points deduction, which, depending on when it is applied, could effectively relegate the club. "Unfortunately – I say all of these things with great sorrow, I really do, as a fan – I think there has to be something that will affect their league status," Bernstein stated. He noted that a significant points deduction early in the season could lead to automatic relegation. Mancity was charged in February 2023 by the Premier League with allegations of financial rule-breaking spanning a 14-year period. The charges include failing to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons between 2009-10 and 2017-18, and not providing full details of payments to former manager Roberto Mancini and players. The club is also accused of failing to cooperate with the investigation from 2018 to 2023.

During the years in question, Manchester City achieved significant success, winning eight Premier League titles, a Champions League, four FA Cups, and seven EFL Cups. The verdict is anticipated to trigger legal claims against the club potentially totaling £800 million from other Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United, who had previously reserved their rights to take action.

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak released a statement asserting the club's confidence in proving their innocence. "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," he said. Al Mubarak also questioned the fairness of the process, urging fans to review a club statement that emphasized the need for the Premier League Board and Executive to act as an independent and impartial regulator.