Former Man City player reveals what fans will do if club are found guilty of FFP breaches and relegated to League One
A former Manchester City footballer has predicted what fans will react if the team is found guilty of financial irregularities and relegated from the Premier League.
In February 2023, City was charged with 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules, the majority of which were the value of sponsorship deals.
Among other things, City is accused of overstating the worth of their sponsorship arrangement with Etihad Airways.
According to the German tabloid Der Spiegel, stolen emails revealed that majority of Etihad’s financial obligations to City were directly covered by the club’s owners, Abu Dhabi United Group.
Earlier this year, Premier League CEO Richard Masters stated that a date had been set for City’s case to be considered by an independent panel, with speculation that it could be this autumn.
If City are proven guilty, the treble winners and reigning Premier League champions could face a range of penalties, including fines and relegation.
Former footballer Paulo Wanchope believes that if Pep Guardiola’s side gets relegated to English football’s third tier or worse, the fans will support their club.
The striker, who was part of City’s previous relegation from the Premier League in 2001, told LiveScoreBet: “They will be able to bounce back whatever happens.
“The fanbase is really strong. That, I believe, is why they are doing so well right now, because they have previously faced difficulties and overcome them.
“I remember them playing in Division One [now the Championship] and Division Two [now League One], but the fans remained strong throughout, and they are very special.”
“They will be okay whatever happens but hopefully there won’t be any damaging sanctions anyway.”
Given that Everton and Nottingham Forest have both incurred significant points punishments for minor infractions of Premier League financial regulations this season, City might be demoted if proven guilty.
