Mark.

I find it bizarre that so many people believe Man City will be getting a simple relegation. Step back from the Commission’s decision and look at the holistic implication of what it says… That, over the course of 8 years, Manchester City’s executives and board directors undertook multiple endeavours of systematic cheating on a massive scale, requiring criminal acts involving: false accounting, fraud, and conspiracy to defraud. The impact was vast and undoubtedly fully corrupted the integrity of the Premier League for over a decade, irreparably damaging the league, its brand, its participants, its partners, and its fans. Once discovered, they stone-walled, obfuscated and misled regulators, even committing further criminal acts to avoid justice, including: perjury, forgery, and perverting the course of justice. To action these criminal feats, they needed to have leveraged state powers of the UAE, to which they clearly have full access and control. And even now, when they have been found guilty, they continue to deny and delay, undertaking as much lawfare as is open to them. The Commission has a duty to issue sanctions that will protect the ongoing integrity of the league. This is made explicit in precedent. Relegation, very clearly, does not achieve that objective. It has always been obvious that the club must be expelled if it is not sold to new, independent owners. There is no alternative sanction that can protect the league from such malign and powerful actors. Given the Commission lacks the power to enforce such a sanction, I suspect they refer the matter to the IFR and apply significant sanctions that will keep Man City out of the league long enough for the IFR to act. Given the Premier League is yet to charge Man City for seasons 2018/19 - 2025/26, that also offers further leverage to ensure the objective is met.

🚨EXCL: Sanctioning process for PL v Man City #115 has already proceeded. Parties awaiting the outcome of Man City’s ‘Section X’ appeal, against full publication until after its Section W appeal. Hearing took place 2 weeks ago. If City unsuccessful, sanctions will be imminent.