How would Arsenal vote if Man City faced Premier League expulsion? – Opinion

If Manchester City faced expulsion from the Premier League, how would their rivals, such as Arsenal, vote? This opinion piece explores the possibility of a sanctions vote among the 19 other teams in the English top division. An expulsion would effectively strip the club of its membership, leaving the English football pyramid in limbo for an institution that has existed for 146 years.

For the league to expel Man City, a majority of 15 out of the 19 teams would have to vote in favor of the removal. Even if the Citizens work their way back up through promotions, they would need to be voted back in by their peers. The intense emotions surrounding the situation show that, despite tribalism being rampant, genuine hurt exists and there is a feeling that it is long overdue.

One of the reasons why a compromise might be preferable is that the Premier League is one of England's most lucrative markets abroad. Losing one of its eight-time champions would make it harder to claim the title of the best league in the world. Moreover, the Kroenke family, who own the champions, would like English football to have as much integrity as possible.

The possibility of a points deduction that would result in life in the Championship next season and restrictions on financial fair play (FFP) going forward could be a more feasible compromise. City wouldn't have the wealth they once relied on, but it would still allow them to breathe. This offer could be taken or left, but it's unclear if the legal challenges would be successful. Ultimately, the question remains: should Arsenal vote to expel Manchester City from the Premier League?