Rival clubs want range of punishments for Man City
A number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to face both "retrospective punishments" and future sanctions for their mass financial rule-breaking, sources have told BBC Sport.
Several top Premier League clubs are seeking various forms of punishment for Manchester City following their financial rule-breaking, according to sources. An independent commission found City guilty of all charges related to breaking Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. City has appealed the verdict, while the Solicitors Regulation Authority is reviewing the findings for potential misconduct.
However, there is a consensus among some top-flight club executives that City should face retrospective punishments and future sanctions if their appeal fails. They believe these penalties should include reparations for the rule-breaking period and limitations on City's future powers. There is also a feeling that a single-point deduction leading to relegation to the Championship would be too lenient given the severity of City's misconduct.
Some clubs believe City should have titles stripped from them, with no rush to redistribute trophies, but rather leave them vacant. There is concern that allowing City to keep the eight major trophies they won during the period would damage the Premier League's credibility. The timescale for future sanctions is a concern, with executives believing a one-season deduction would merely be a "bump in the road" for City.
They suggest splitting any points deduction over multiple seasons and imposing transfer bans across several windows. Some clubs feel "in the dark" about the Premier League's process, but sources say there is empathy and understanding for the difficult position the league is in. Financial reparations could include a "tariff-based system," where City's past league finishing positions would be altered via points deductions, with rival clubs receiving compensation based on where City would have finished.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is expected to speak to his players after they return from international duty before their upcoming Premier League match against Liverpool. Merseyside Police will have an appropriate policing operation in place for the match, with no extra measures expected.
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