29 Sep 2026 17:18:49
This is a very strong statement from the Premier League.
My mates and I went for a 50pt deduction for the next five seasons. Maybe it is going to be stronger than that and they get drummed out of the leagues.

1.) 29 Sep 2026
29 Sep 2026 18:23:35
it is Tom- and the key part is the misstated accounts and lying to auditors- in the 'normal world' that would be cause for very very serious consequences.

2.) 29 Sep 2026
29 Sep 2026 19:23:08
Three independent KC's sit on a panel and find them guilty of all charges.
I would be totally flabbergasted if they won an appeal.

3.) 30 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026 07:55:06
I always thought that fake / false accounting was a serious crime especially in this magnitude, are the police involved? Or are they waiting for the final outcome?

4.) 30 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026 09:17:38
This is probably a watershed moment for all aspects of so called financial fairplay. If City were to avoid serious sanctions then surely that spells the end of it.
ED01, what is your take on the whole thing?

{Ed001's Note - it is not just that, it is also the fact they refused to cooperate with the investigation (unlike Chelsea, Everton and Forest) plus the fact they have also committed crimes in legal terms, not just breaches of footballing rules. They have to be absolutely smashed or there will be no reason not to do it again and again and again.}

5.) 30 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026 11:22:14
Thanks Ed001

My feeling is that once this is sorted a criminal investigation will swiftly follow, this could involve Execs being arrested / questioned and ex managers and possibly players.

Could someone pass the popcorn ? please.

{Ed001's Note - I hope so, but I think it will just get brushed under the carpet.}

6.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 06:26:08
Gary Neville on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's comments about Manchester City:

"I find those comments absolutely staggering. At a time when Manchester City have just been found guilty of serious financial rule breaches, the Prime Minister is talking about how concerned he would be if their owners left. What message does that send?

Are we now at the stage where money, investment and tax revenue matter more than the integrity of football? Because if that is the message coming from the top, then we have a serious problem.

You cannot have one set of rules for the smaller clubs and another set of rules for the biggest and wealthiest clubs. If the rules have been broken, they must be dealt with properly. It doesn't matter how much money the owners have brought into Manchester.

And let me be very clear — nobody should be influencing the independent process. The courts, regulators and football authorities must be allowed to do their jobs without political pressure.

If Manchester City escape meaningful punishment simply because they are economically important, then forget sporting integrity. Every club in England will ask themselves why they should respect the rules.

The Premier League cannot become a competition where the bigger your bank account, the safer you are from consequences. That would destroy the credibility of English football.

I think the Prime Minister needs to clarify those comments, because right now they sound like he is more worried about losing Manchester City's owners than protecting the integrity of the Premier League.".

7.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 11:56:59
Breaking news, Gary Neville makes reasonable point. ??

Thanks K, I personally hadn't picked that comment up in the media.

8.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 15:29:05
EDOO1

Why do you think legal action will be brushed under the carpet?

{Ed001's Note - because the govt will put pressure on to ensure it does.}

9.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 17:35:23
Bill- legal action on the back of this will get really messy, think sanctions will be kept to a sport level on the whole- with small scale/individual legal cases ongoing for years- when sporting sanctions are handed out think will be on agreement from rest of league/big orgs like govt+HMRC that they won't pursue any legal action after.

10.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 18:41:43
I disagree. When and if sporting sanctions are met out to City, it is my opinion the pressure will grow to such an extent that HMRC will have to investigate.
I have no idea about the process or responsibility but I assume the auditors used by club will also come under scrutiny.


Also, given Burnhams stupid comment, loud noises will be made for an investigation into other UAE so called Manchester investments and how or if Burnham was actively involved.

11.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 19:04:21
I wish you were right Tom but I fear Burnham and co have far too much to lose both personally and the country.

I would not mind betting this will lead to a break away from the prem.

12.) 02 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 21:55:34
Bill, I think Burnham has already lost credibility with the majority of football fans when he puts finance above integrity. It says a lot about him as a person in my opinion.

Yes, the UAE are considered an Ali but they have a a very small impact on our GDP. I can't see either civil service wanting to destroy the relationship for the sake of City, given what's going on in the world at the moment.

If I was advising them I would just start negotiating a deal with the premiership. I certainly wouldn't be prompting a state run sponsor to issue threats of legal action.

For me, they are going to get a massive points deduction. The only question is for how many seasons? European ban's probably don't matter because they won't qualify. Massive fine and maybe a transfer ban for a number of windows.

I can't see the owners walking away and I can't see the premiership forcing that issue. They probably should but I doubt they will.

13.) 02 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 20:13:23
This will either stop all this arab sportwashing or go the other way and prove the UK is in dire straights and owned financially by them.

14.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 09:29:18
I would go for the latter K.

15.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 08:43:29
With 30 year gilts at over 6% we do not need anyone's help to be in "dire straights.".

16.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 09:58:11
sportswashing isn't reserved for arabs. we had our own russian version before you start singling out specific groups


Tbh the prem are largely to blame- they had no complaints when the sheikh arrived and starting splashing his cash on the city- same way it was with us and roman, if we're being honest. it was 'good for the league' and 'good for manchester and everyone conveniently ignored the negatives and brushed them under the carpet and now they're left between a rock and a hard place. this whole saga will continue dragging on for years. in the meantime they really need to reform the current financial rules as they're just not fit for purpose.


another point i'd make is this case/investigation largely came off the back of a hacker obtaining and leaking info. i dread to think about our potential bad behviour during the roman era and beyond. the likes of the infinite athlete sponsorship are murky.

17.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 13:44:03
Kazblue

You mention us and Man Cheaty but what about the secrets other clubs could be hiding.

Dont forget the prem league did not find out about us or cheaty, our new owners self reported and Cheaty got hacked.

I just think others could be abusing the system without anybody knowing.

18.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 12:05:13
EDOO1

Can you see a situation where no club would play man cheaty.

{Ed001's Note - would: cost them too much to do that.

19.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 15:33:48
I agree there would be a cost and point lost for each club but the prem league as we know it would surely end and maybe that's what's needed.

20.) 02 Oct 2026
02 Oct 2026 15:47:03
Bill i agree- we self reported and sham city got hacked anorher reason why i still believe a deal will be made eventually.

21.) 03 Oct 2026
03 Oct 2026 10:04:51
bluekaz,

Just because they got hacked didn't mean they are less guilty.

22.) 03 Oct 2026
03 Oct 2026 10:59:43
Surely these arab owners must be forced to sell if found guilty of corruption and cheating?

{Ed001's Note - why does casual racism have to slip into it? Does it matter that they are Arabs?}