25 Sep 2026 15:56:14
Citeh: Guilty as charged it seems.
25 Sep 2026 16:07:59
Yup be interesting to see what happens now as EPL could be left open to being sued by other clubs if the action taken isn't adequete.
25 Sep 2026 17:36:43
At last a result. The implications are huge. The punishment should match the crime.
25 Sep 2026 18:08:36
Kinda brings the question to mind - did Pep have an idea what was coming? Strange of him to walk away from the club the way he did.
25 Sep 2026 19:56:50
It definitely makes the timing of Pep's departure more suspect. The problem now is, will the punishment fit the crime? Will the punishment be about business and money by keeping a big 6 club in the Premier League, or will it be about sporting integrity? I don't think there is a right answer on this, but I think they should be kicked out of the league and whether the EFL take them is their choice.
25 Sep 2026 19:58:57
What I find staggering is the delusional response from the City fans I've heard comment on this. Everything from denial "it's not true" to "we'll get a slap on the wrist because the Premier League needs City", oh really?
As Stefan Borsen said, they have been found guilty by facts so how can you win an appeal? How can you claim the independent panel was biased like some have tried in the past when the people who would rule on that would be that very panel?
What will be interesting is the severity of the punishment because it could and should be brutal.
25 Sep 2026 20:08:19
They will appeal, and drag it out. Just read that any penalties will not be retrospective, in other words the penalties will start from the date they are imposed and will not be backdated.
Titles will not be removed. If the past is to safeguarded maybe the penalty should be severe, such as relegation down the divisions? No point in a fine as they will always find the money.
25 Sep 2026 21:16:03
So if they get relegated, will one more team go up?
25 Sep 2026 21:43:09
Assuming hell hasn't frozen over before all the appeals have been heard how will they be punished?
Surely any fine has to be meaningful so in the light of the clubs vast financial resources it would need to be 10 figures.
In addition automatic relegation to Div 2 sounds fair but what about the players contracts?
Should these be voided and the players all made free agents?
Under the SCR rules City if relegated to Div 2 obviously couldn't afford to keep the players anyway but should they be allowed to benefit from selling their assets?
I strongly doubt any of this will happen and the fine will be a few million with maybe a handful of points deducted - all completely irrelevant to City.
It would be interesting though if a football regulator with teeth was put in place and examined the activities of various other teams in the Prem.
I strongly suspect City aren't the only ones who have sailed close to the wind.
26 Sep 2026 03:07:38
As i said the EPL could be left open to being sued by many other clubs including us if correct action isn't taken.
Don't forget points lost to them cost us Europe once too.
Pep knew exactly what was going on there is a reason he is known as chequebook pep.