“Let’s see what they can still pull off then”: former Manchester City player calls for unprecedented punishment
Danny Mills believes the Premier League should impose an unprecedented punishment on his former club Manchester City.
The Athletic revealed a few days ago that ManCity had been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations and Financial Fair Play rules. As well as a points deduction and a hefty fine, multiple enforced relegations are also said not to be out of the question. It is said that the draconian punishments can hardly be avoided.
Stripping the club of titles already won is also allegedly within the realms of possibility. There are said to be compelling arguments for all ManCity results between 2009 and 2018, the period covered by the investigation, to be declared null and void.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Mills, who wore the Skyblues shirt himself for five years, has now given his view on the allegations. If it were up to him, City would face a draconian punishment.
"For every season in which they cheated, they should be given a massive points deduction for every forthcoming season. So if they cheated for nine years, they should be docked 20 points for each of the next nine years. Let's see what they can still do then," said Mills.
He is not, however, in favour of a simple enforced relegation to the second division. The club have the financial muscle to bounce straight back after one year in the lower tier and challenge at the top again.
"I just heard a fan say: 'That would be great for the second division'. No, it would not. City would go straight back up, which means that instead of two places for (automatic) promotion (from the Championship), only one would still be available." Nor would it make much financial sense for second-tier clubs. "You only play against Manchester City twice that season, so you are not going to generate huge revenue."
How will the Premier League decide on Manchester City?
How the league will ultimately decide remains to be seen. "There is no fair and just system because it goes back so far, and it will become very, very difficult because other clubs will then complain that they were disadvantaged and relegated - how are you supposed to sort that out?" believes Mills
Meanwhile, The Athletic reports that several Premier League clubs instructed leading lawyers some time ago to examine possible claims as part of the case against the Skyblues. Put simply, if disadvantages were found to have occurred, those clubs would be entitled to compensation payments amounting to millions. According to the Sun, the total could come to a hefty €616 million.
Even then, the clubs would only be able to take legal action after the appeal proceedings have been concluded. ManCity are expected to lodge an appeal. According to the Guardian, the case could drag on for months or even years.
