Manchester City, involved in a trial over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, are reportedly unlikely to be relegated.
The club was slapped with 115 charges in February 2023 for allegedly violating the league’s Financial Fair Play rules, an accusation they have robustly denied.
If found guilty of breaching the English football body’s financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, the club could face severe consequences such as relegation, significant points deduction, hefty fines or even the stripping of all titles. The proceedings, which began in September, have been held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London (IDRC).
However, according to the Independent, the outcome is unlikely to result in City’s relegation. It is reported that only a minority of clubs within the league are advocating for expulsion if the most serious charges are proven.
Such a decision would necessitate a special shareholders meeting and a vote of 15. The report further suggests that this scenario is not expected to occur this season due to the high likelihood of an appeal from one of the sides.
The Times recently hinted that the verdict is unlikely to be announced before the end of the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has suggested that a conclusion could be reached in the spring or summer.
Out of the 115 charges, 54 are linked to allegations against the club for not providing accurate and current financial reports to the league from 2009/10 to 2017/18. An additional 35 charges are associated with the club’s alleged lack of cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation between December 2018 and February 2023.
Head coach Pep Guardiola had already confirmed that if the club were relegated, he would stay, having recently penned a new contract at the Etihad.
“I said six months ago, not because now I’ve extended my contract, I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here,” he claimed.
“Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.
“I felt I should stay here because they want me – for obvious reasons, for the results.
“Sometimes something can ignite in yourself to say that is the moment to stay here. In just two hours, we did it. Maybe I am a little bit arrogant but I think we deserve to continue for what we have done in the last years.
“But I’m not naive enough to think I am going to stay because we have a contract or what we have done in the past. Maybe in a month I am not here if the situation is not going well. We have to do it again.”
