Man City Punishment: Rival Clubs Want Retrospective Sanctions

Rival Clubs Demand Retrospective and Future Punishments for Manchester City

Manchester City are facing calls for retrospective sanctions and future restrictions from a group of Premier League clubs following a guilty verdict on mass financial rule-breaking. Sources told BBC Sport that any penalty must address past breaches and limit City's future dominance.

Verdict: Independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to Premier League financial regulations between 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
Appeal: Manchester City have appealed against the verdict.
Rival stance: A number of Premier League clubs want both retrospective punishments and sanctions for the future.
Points deduction: At least four boardrooms feel a single points deduction resulting in relegation would be insufficient.
Title stripping: One senior club source said City should be stripped of their titles, but there is little appetite among other clubs for that.
Next match: Manchester City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday (16:30 BST), their first game since the verdict.

Retrospective Punishments and Future Sanctions

According to sources, there is a consensus among a group of top-flight club executives that if City's appeal is unsuccessful, the sanctions should make reparations for the period when they broke the rules, while also limiting their powers in future.

There is a feeling from at least four Premier League boardrooms that a "one-hit" points deduction resulting in relegation to the Championship would be an insufficient punishment given the severity of City's wrongdoing. One senior club source said City should be stripped of their titles, and added there was "no great rush" among clubs to push for the redistribution of trophies, but rather to take honours away and leave them vacant. The source warned the credibility of the Premier League would be lost if City were allowed to keep the eight major trophies they won during the period they have been found guilty.

However, in a sign of a range of opinions across the league, BBC Sport was previously told there was little appetite among other clubs for City to be stripped of titles.

Regarding the timescale for sanctions in the future, there is a concern among club executives that a sanction applied just to one season would merely provide City with a "bump in the road" given the likelihood of them returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking. A number of Premier League figures therefore believe any points deduction should be split over multiple seasons, while there is also a sense that transfer bans that stretch over a number of windows would also significantly hinder City's ability to regain their top-flight status as quickly as possible.

One club source also said it would be "bizarre, almost obtuse" if City were able to trade in the upcoming January transfer window, if this process is ongoing and sanctions have not been applied. Some clubs cited feeling "in the dark" regards the Premier League, including around the chronology and timescales of the appeal and the sanctions hearing. However, sources said there was "empathy" and "understanding" about the difficult position the Premier League is in, given the gravity of this situation and the ongoing legal process.

Financial Reparations and Tariff-Based System

Regarding financial reparations, one idea that has been mooted - and which a club source found "merit" in - was to apply a "tariff-based system", whereby City's past league finishing positions would be altered via a points deduction. Rival clubs could then be paid compensation by City based on where they would have finished versus where they did finish.

There is understood to be nuance in exactly what clubs consider a fitting penalty for the eight-time Premier League champions, who were found guilty of all serious financial rule breaches in a damning verdict by an independent commission.

Manchester City's Immediate Focus: Liverpool Clash

BBC Sport understands Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca will speak to players collectively after they arrive back from international duty on Thursday, before their Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 BST). The trip to Anfield is their first game since news of the verdict broke.

Merseyside Police says it has received queries in relation to the match, and when asked by BBC Sport if any special measures would be put in place the force said it will have "an appropriate policing operation in place on the day".

Sources at Liverpool have told BBC Sport it is a case of "business as usual" and there are no extra measures being put in place. Conversations and meetings between the club, supporters and relevant authorities take place before every home game. One source said while everyone "has the right to express their feelings" they hoped supporters would not overstep the mark.

Analysis: Why Rival Clubs Want More Than Relegation

The consensus among rival clubs is clear: a single points deduction that sends Manchester City to the Championship would be a mere blip. With City's resources, they would likely bounce straight back, making a one-season penalty ineffective. Instead, clubs want a multi-season approach that disrupts their dominance for years.

The proposed tariff-based system would see City's past finishing positions adjusted, with compensation paid to clubs that missed out on European spots or title wins. This would address the financial advantage City gained during the breach period. However, the lack of appetite for stripping titles shows a split in the league, with some clubs wary of the legal and reputational fallout.

Manchester City's immediate challenge is the trip to Anfield on Sunday. Manager Enzo Maresca faces the task of keeping his players focused amid the off-field storm. The result could impact their season, but the bigger battle will be fought in the appeal and sanctions hearings.

Talking points

Should Manchester City be stripped of their titles? One source says yes to protect Premier League credibility, but other clubs lack appetite.
A one-season points deduction is seen as insufficient. Should any penalty be spread over multiple years to truly hurt City?
Transfer bans across multiple windows could cripple City's rebuild. Is that fair punishment or an overreach?
The Premier League's handling of the appeal timeline has left some clubs feeling in the dark. Does the league need more transparency?

What happens next

Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 BST) for their first match since the verdict. Manager Enzo Maresca will address the squad on Thursday after international duty. The appeal process continues, with sanctions yet to be determined. The Premier League faces pressure to clarify the timeline for the appeal and any subsequent sanctions hearing.

Frequently asked questions

What punishments do rival clubs want for Manchester City?

Rival clubs want retrospective punishments for the period of rule-breaking and future sanctions to limit City's powers, including points deductions split over multiple seasons and transfer bans.

Will Manchester City be stripped of their Premier League titles?

One senior club source said City should be stripped of their titles, but BBC Sport was previously told there was little appetite among other clubs for that to happen.