Report: Financial Breach Threatens Man City’s Future in Football | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Potential Expulsion from Multiple Competitions: What it Could Mean

Manchester City are facing a situation that could have wide-reaching implications for the club and English football. According to The Telegraph’s Ben Rumsby, the club risks expulsion from not only the Premier League but also domestic and international competitions if they are found guilty of serious breaches of financial rules. While the “Trial of the Century” unfolds, the consequences could dramatically reshape the future of one of England’s most successful clubs.

Manchester City’s Potential Expulsion

“Manchester City are in danger of being thrown out of more than just the Premier League if they are found guilty of serious breaches of its financial rules.” This damning statement sets the tone for what could be a landmark moment in English football. While a points deduction might seem like a possible punishment, Rumsby suggests that Premier League rivals don’t believe that would be enough to penalise City if they are guilty of most of the 115 to 130 charges levied against them.

Should expulsion occur, City could face a precarious future not only in the Premier League but also in other competitions. This includes the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. “The rules of the two domestic cup competitions do raise the prospect of City’s exile from the game being extended beyond the Premier League,” Rumsby explains.

FA Cup and Carabao Cup Rules: Could City Be Banned?

Under the current FA Cup rules, clubs that are removed from their respective leagues could also be disqualified from the competition. Clause 31 of the FA Cup states, “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.”

Photo: IMAGO

The same is true for the Carabao Cup. The rules stipulate that only “each member from time to time of the league and each member from time to time of the Premier League” can participate, meaning City’s exclusion from the Premier League could see them barred from this competition as well.

What About the Champions League and Club World Cup?

City’s fate in the Champions League and the newly expanded Club World Cup also hangs in the balance. Rumsby notes that UEFA’s regulations require clubs to hold a UEFA club licence to compete, and it remains unclear whether expulsion from the Premier League would impact City’s ability to retain such a licence. Similarly, FIFA’s rules for the Club World Cup are not entirely transparent, making it difficult to predict what would happen if City are thrown out of domestic competitions.

Photo: IMAGO

One thing is clear: should City face expulsion from English football, their participation in these prestigious international tournaments would be thrown into doubt. As Rumsby summarises, “the prospect of them winning those competitions at the end of a season in which they are thrown out of the Premier League… would also rankle with rival clubs and supporters.”

City’s Response and the Road Ahead

As expected, Manchester City has maintained their innocence, repeatedly denying any wrongdoing. They continue to assert that they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” and are looking forward to the resolution of these charges. With the case ongoing, the outcome remains uncertain, but the repercussions could send shockwaves through not just Manchester but the entire footballing world.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The potential expulsion of Manchester City from all major competitions raises significant concerns about the future of the game. On the one hand, there’s no denying that any club found guilty of severe financial breaches must face the consequences. Financial regulations exist for a reason, and enforcing them ensures a level playing field across the sport. However, the scale of punishment being considered for City seems unprecedented, and the potential ripple effects could disrupt not just the club, but the entire structure of English football.

If City are expelled from competitions like the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and even the Champions League, it would leave a huge void in these tournaments. For a club of City’s calibre, with their consistent success over recent years, to be removed would raise questions about the competitiveness and prestige of these competitions going forward. Would their removal reduce the quality of football in these tournaments? Perhaps. And it could certainly cast a shadow over the achievements of other clubs that might benefit from City’s absence, however the same can be said about City’s success in these tournaments as they would have benefitted from cheating.

Beyond the sporting consequences, such an outcome would also test the governance of football itself. How the Premier League, FA, and UEFA navigate this situation could set a precedent for how financial rule-breaking is dealt with in the future. Yet, there’s a fine balance to strike between enforcing regulations and avoiding an overreaction that could destabilise the sport. This case should serve as a reminder of the need for clear and consistent rule enforcement while considering the potential for unintended consequences on the broader football ecosystem.