Huge repercussions for club if found guilty

Published on 2024-01-20 09:05:02

With the possibility of Everton and Nottingham Forest facing points deduction due to potential financial issues, current Premier League and European champions Manchester City could be anxious about their own fate. Though they are presumed innocent until proven guilty, one of City’s former financial advisors, Stefan Borson, has warned of severe repercussions if they are found guilty of the 115 charges against them.

Borson emphasized that the scale of the allegations against Manchester City is much more significant than those against Everton and Forest. He suggested that if proven, it could lead to relegation as there are allegations of conspiracy spanning a 10-year period. The charges also include claims that City’s main sponsorship agreements were significantly undervalued, with implications that the club engaged in deception with various parties, including professionals, the league, UEFA, and the FA.

The investigation into the matter is expected to be an unprecedented and lengthy process, with no official resolution anticipated until at least summer 2025. Manchester City is likely to utilize top-notch legal representation to scrutinize the allegations thoroughly, and in the case of any charges, there is a high likelihood of appeals, leading to further delays in any potential penalty.

The situation further complicates matters as Everton has already faced a 10-point deduction, and the Premier League is aiming to address the new charges against them and Nottingham Forest by the end of the current season. This timeline highlights the dissatisfaction surrounding the uncertainty of City’s eventual punishment, which could be years away.

The impact of the potential sanctions on Manchester City, as well as the uncertainty surrounding their resolution, presents a significant issue for both the club and the footballing authorities. It is clear that if the allegations against City are proven, the consequences could be severe and have far-reaching implications not only for the club but for the broader footballing community.