Punish Man City this season, say other club chiefs

What the report says

Senior football figures have told BBC Sport that Manchester City’s case over alleged Premier League financial rule breaches should be resolved before the end of this season. The club was found guilty of all charges by the Premier League on Tuesday, covering the period from the 2009-10 to the 2017-18 seasons, with the league saying the breaches included inflating revenue through sponsorship arrangements it described as sham deals.

City have denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal, with the club saying the dispute could continue for some time. BBC Sport reports that there is growing concern within football that leaving the matter unresolved for longer could create uncertainty, especially if City were to remain in contention for the title while the case is still open. One unnamed club official told BBC Sport that a quick resolution would benefit everyone, while another source said they hoped any appeal could be handled efficiently.

The final punishment, if any, will be decided by an independent commission. The Premier League and Manchester City can both propose an appropriate sanction before that panel rules. BBC Sport notes that the regulations include target timeframes for appeals, and that processes can sometimes be accelerated, although City’s chief executive has suggested the matter may run for a long period.