Many Premier League clubs want Man City to be relegated after allegations of financial fraud. If convicted, the Manchester club could be pushed down to the English 5th division.
The Premier League organizers have accused Man City of violating more than 100 financial rules over a nine-year period (2009-2018). These violations are mainly related to the understatement of sponsorships, salaries of coaches and players, violations of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play law. In addition, Man City is also said to have not coordinated the investigation during the past 4 years.
Most Premier League clubs hope for Man City to be relegated (photo: Getty).
If found guilty, Man City could have points deducted, stripped of titles and worse, expelled from the Premier League. It is worth mentioning, according to the British press, that most clubs support the Premier League Organizing Committee to punish Man City before the season ends. According to them, the most suitable punishment is relegation with the Etihad Stadium team.
A member of the Premier League club shared: “If this allegation is true, then Man City should receive the appropriate punishment. The only punishment suitable for this violation is to beat them to relegation immediately. They have experienced it. over a decade of cheating”.
It is worth mentioning, if being relegated, Man City will not be able to play in the English First Division. According to a source from the Telegraph, the EFL (the governing body for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th tier leagues) has no obligation to take over Man City if expelled from the Premier League. The reason is that only 72 teams are allowed to become their members, in which, these matches are fixed and there is no room for Man City.
That means, Man City may have to start playing from the National League (equivalent to English 5th) or even a lower league. The National League consists of professional and semi-professional clubs. The three teams with the highest achievements in this division will advance to League Two (equivalent to 4th place in England).
Man City may have to start over from the English 5th division.
Of course, Man City will do everything to prevent the unfortunate from happening. The club’s statement read: “Man City are surprised by the Premier League’s publication of allegations of financial misconduct, especially after we have provided extensive and extensive documentation in support of our investigation. check.
The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to objectively investigate all the indisputable evidence that exists. So we want this issue to be resolved once and for all.”
In February 2020, Man City was fined 25 million pounds by the European Football Federation (UEFA) and banned from participating in the Champions League for violating Financial Fair Play laws. However, they later successfully appealed. In the end, The Citizens only had to pay a £9 million fine and still play in the Champions League.