Exclusive: Pat Nevin Shares His Thoughts on Manchester City’s Financial Breaches
Manchester City have enjoyed a historic start to the season, becoming just the third side to win all of their opening seven Premier League games.
However, off the pitch, the club’s future has never been under more scrutiny. This comes after they were found guilty of 114 financial charges and are now facing huge punishment.
Massive points deductions, relegation from the Premier Legue and the stripping of titles have all been mentioned as potential consequences to their actions.
Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin, speaking exclusively to EPL Index, and shared his thoughts on the situation…
How Should Manchester City Be Punished?
When asked what punishments should face Manchester City, Nevin shares a fascinating answer: “What is appropriate for me is absolutely and utterly unimportant. What is appropriate for other people is what you need to ask.”
“If you’re an Evertonian and you got 10 points deducted, reduced to six, for one breach, you try multiplying that. It’s not as simple as 114, but that leaves you somewhere in the Essex men’s under-12 league with how many points you’ve got deducted!”
“It’s incredible that they find themselves in this position. If you’re a fan of certain clubs that clearly have suffered – be that Liverpool or Arsenal, or teams that were relegated, or a team that didn’t win a cup final or got knocked out of a cup – you’re going to be looking to sue as well.”
Photo: IMAGO
“Whatever you do, some people think it’s not enough, other people think it’s too much. If they’ve been found guilty after appeal, then they’re going to be hammered. They’re going to be hammered beyond belief.”
“Be it relegation, be it £100 million – just pick a number. I can’t imagine any of them being enough for a Liverpool fan to say, ‘Yeah. that’s enough.’ I can’t imagine it. There is no simple answer.”
“With the rules being so draconian, used in such a draconian way previously with Nottingham Forest and Everton, the Premier League have created a rod for their own back. If they go back on that now and do something that looks a bit lenient to Manchester City, then they’re going to be hammered.”
Asked whether he expected City to be playing Premier League football next season, Nevin added: “No, I don’t think they would. I’d be surprised. But is it beyond the bounds of possibility? No, of course it’s not. Anything’s on the table at this point, isn’t it? Nobody knows.”
What Next?
A decision on Manchester City’s punishment is expected in the very near future. However, the focus for now remains on the pitch.
Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit top of the Premier League, with seven wins in seven games. They currently sit three points ahead of last season’s champions Arsenal.
They will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table when they travel to face Aston Villa in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon. Title rivals Arsenal face Everton at the Emirates Stadium later that afternoon.