Club Officials Want Man City Sanctioned This Season

Senior figures in football believe Manchester City should face punishment for Premier League rule violations before the current season ends. This follows the Premier League's confirmation on Tuesday that City were found guilty of multiple charges concerning financial regulations from the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. These charges included artificially inflating revenue by over £900 million through questionable sponsorship deals.

Manchester City has consistently denied the accusations and indicated its intention to appeal within the week. While the process, initiated three years ago, has been lengthy, football officials suggest there's no reason why it cannot conclude by the season's close.

An anonymous club official stated that a swift resolution benefits everyone. While acknowledging the potential risks of delays, they noted these risks have persisted as City has won league titles during the investigation. Another source echoed the sentiment, hoping for a resolution by season's end and a "compressed" appeal process.

The independent commission holds the final decision-making power. Both the Premier League board and Manchester City can propose suitable punishments before the commission rules. A push for resolution this season stems from concerns about potential uncertainty and farce, especially if City were to win the title without a verdict.

Premier League rules suggest an appeal should conclude within 12 weeks of filing, with a decision made 30 days later. However, procedures can be expedited to meet deadlines like the end of a league season. Club CEO Ferran Soriano, however, has implied the case will continue for an extended period.

Manchester City cannot appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but might challenge the process's impartiality in the High Court. The Premier League's statement emphasized its desire for the process to conclude "as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, City's sponsor, Etihad Airways, is reportedly considering legal action against the Premier League. The airline stated it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements." Etihad expressed concern over the Premier League's public communication, citing damaging implications despite not being named in the published findings. The airline stated it was not given an opportunity to engage in a process that now reflects "adversely on the airline" and intends to seek legal counsel to protect its interests.