CELEBRITY
JUST IN: Top Premier League Clubs Warn League Integrity Could Collapse Unless Manchester City Are Relegated
Pressure is mounting on the Premier League to impose a severe punishment on Manchester City after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious financial-rule breaches involving commercial arrangements worth more than £900 million.
The commission found that, between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, Manchester City used what it described as “sham” commercial agreements as part of a disguised funding scheme.
According to the Premier League, the arrangements artificially increased the club’s reported revenues and reduced its reported costs by more than £900 million.
The findings have intensified debate among rival clubs over what punishment would be appropriate.
Some club executives have reportedly argued that relegation should be considered, while others believe an even stronger sporting sanction may be necessary because of the scale and duration of the alleged financial advantages.
