Jamie Carragher makes huge Man City points deduction prediction as Arsenal await FFP outcome
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have strongly criticized the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Manchester City’s Premier League case, especially as Everton faces a second round of charges for violating financial rules.
Everton has already incurred a 10-point deduction for overspending £19 million over a three-year period, in accordance with the new profit and sustainability rules.
Now, they, along with Nottingham Forest, may face additional consequences based on charges related to recent financial reports.
This development is occurring at a time when transfer spending across top-flight clubs has significantly slowed down as they aim to adhere more strictly to financial regulations.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s case, involving an astonishing 115 breaches of rules, is still pending an outcome.
The league revealed charges against them more than a month before Everton’s initial case was publicly disclosed, yet City has not even had a trial date confirmed. In contrast, Everton could potentially have two points deductions by the end of the season.
This situation has stirred controversy among the clubs, with Arsenal closely monitoring the situation.
Although Arsenal wasn’t in contention for the league title over the alleged 10-year period of City’s rule violations, they could have benefited from a points deduction on their rivals last season, having finished second.
The same scenario holds true for the current season, with a four-way title race looming.
In light of these circumstances, Gary Neville is advocating for change in the current system.
“I would like to see an amendment to FFP, I never agreed with it in the first place, the way that it currently is,” he said, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast by Sky Bet. “It stops clubs, like Newcastle United with wealthy owners, being able to get up to the top. It was brought in by elite clubs, to protect the elite clubs as they are the highest revenue-generating teams. I don’t like it and there needs to be a change to the rules.”
Neville added: “They are different charges [Manchester City’s]. The simple charge against Everton and Nottingham Forest is [breaching] the £105million [threshold for losses] over three years, whereas City’s one is a lot more complex, but it can’t go on for years. It’s gone on for six years, it’s got to be in the interest of everyone to bring that to a head.”
There have been indications that, with a trial reportedly scheduled for the winter of this year, a final resolution in Manchester City’s case may be as distant as five years away.
This extended timeline is anticipated due to potential appeals and the intricate nature of the 115 charges leveled against City.
In contrast to Everton, which has acknowledged overspending but is contesting its punishment with mitigating factors, Manchester City faces a more complex legal battle with a significantly higher number of charges.
Neville explained this: “Some of the charges against Manchester City are related to the fact that to get around the £105million in three years that is acceptable, they’ve put costs that should have been within Manchester City, into their operating company which is the City Football Group.
“The ridiculous suggestion, which I don’t know whether it’s true or not, is that Roberto Mancini was being paid part of his wage in the Middle East for appearances. These charges need to be brought forward, even if it’s some of the simpler ones out of the 115 – there is a date set, but Richard Masters wouldn’t share it.”
On Tuesday, at a parliamentary select committee in Westminster, Premier League chief executive Masters addressed the frustration of fans in the wake of the latest set of charges. He stated, “: “I can [understand fans’ frustration] but they are very different charges. When any club, the current champions or otherwise, found themselves in breach for 2022/23 then they would be in exactly the same position as Everton and Nottingham Forest.
“The volume and character of the charges against Manchester City, which I cannot talk about, are being heard in a completely different environment. There is a date set for that proceeding, I can’t tell you when that is but it is progressing. A date has been set.”
Carragher is already anticipating a much larger punishment for Pep Guardiola’s side regardless. “When you think of Everton, they have two charges now and they admitted their guilt and received 10 points [deduction], which I thought was big. You think of Manchester City with 115 and think of how complex it might be and City fans, you can think of the repercussions compared to what Everton got with 10 points for one charge, being over £105 million, compared to you with 115.”
Neville has dismissed claims that the league are only picking on small clubs though. “What about Manchester City?” he asked. “That’s the big elephant in the room, that City’s charges haven’t been brought forward. Accepting that it’s a lot more complex, I was uncomfortable that Richard Masters said there has been a date set [for a hearing], but he couldn’t reveal when it was.
“This told me that, and I might be wrong, we’re not going to like the date, it’s maybe going to be in the summer, beyond this season. It’s in the interest of Manchester City, and everybody, to bring that case forward, accelerate the process and do it quicker. It can’t go on, and it’s damaging to the Premier League.”
The Premier League is poised to make changes to its rules for the upcoming season amid the looming possibility of an independent regulator in English football. Currently, all involved clubs find themselves in a state of suspense, awaiting further developments.
Jamie Carragher makes huge Man City points deduction prediction as Arsenal await FFP outcome
Jamie Carragher makes huge Man City points deduction prediction as Arsenal await FFP outcome