Manchester City are “throwing everything” at their legal battle with the Premier League because they “fear expulsion” in an 115-charge FFP case.
The reigning champions of English football have known for some time that they have a case to answer on the Financial Fair Play front. A long-running investigation into goings on at the Etihad Stadium has unearthed monetary misdemeanours.
City have seen top-flight rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest punished for FFP breaches – leading to points deductions – and the documents relating to the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) case at the City Ground revealed that “expulsion” is an option available to the Premier League when it comes to future sanctions.
With that in mind, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness – who now runs a consultancy service advising elite clubs – has told Football Insider of City’s ongoing battle to clear their name: “Given the time this is taking, the Premier League will be fully prepared. This new case is going to soak up management time and resources for them. I think what we’re seeing is City going to these extreme lengths because they fear expulsion is really an option if they’re found guilty of these 115 charges. They’re throwing everything they possibly can at this. I would ask City fans to look beyond blind club loyalty and really think about this. Put pressure on your club, because this is going down the wrong road for football.”
No official date for City’s case to be heard has been revealed, with the Premier League continuing to play collective cards close to their chest. There has, however, been talk of the hearing beginning in November and running for six weeks close to the end of the calendar year.
