Former England captain Gary Lineker has urged Manchester City to accept City punishment if the club’s long-running Premier League financial case ends against them, saying such a move could help draw a line under the controversy.
City have been found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations in nine seasons from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The club was also convicted of three counts for allegedly failing to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
The Premier League had previously claimed that Manchester City had been cooking the books by inflating its revenue and deflating its costs by over £900 million in the past ten years through fake commercial deals. The case spanned the years of some of the club’s most successful seasons and significant trophies. Manchester City have challenged the ruling and are claiming they are innocent.
At Leaders Week at Stamford Bridge, Lineker explained that it was hurting City and English football. He said the club might help defuse any tension over the matter by taking responsibility for it and any punishment that will follow. Lineker also noted that the supporters and players could be the worst affected by any penalties, as they would suffer the greatest.
When asked if Manchester City might be denied the Premier League trophies achieved during the time frame in question, the former striker told the BBC he wouldn’t be surprised if that was the next step. The hearing will be done in private and the timing and the execution of any sanctions are unknown.
Even though the court battle is still underway, City keep playing at the highest level. The Clippers are tied for the top of the Premier League table after five matches with 15 points, hoping to win their sixth straight league game on Sunday against Liverpool.
