Man City to avoid being stripped of Premier League title as Arsenal watch on
Who claims that the international break lacks excitement? Well, the revelation of Everton’s penalty for violating Financial Fair Play regulations provides ample fodder for discussion until the resumption of Premier League matches.
On Friday, it was officially stated that Everton will suffer a 10-point deduction—a verdict that places them in the relegation zone, though they still outrank Burnley in the standings due to a superior goal difference. Nevertheless, Everton has declared their intent to appeal the decision.
Naturally, the repercussions of this punishment are reverberating throughout the English top flight, causing a stir, especially among certain Arsenal fans.
They are eagerly anticipating the resolution of Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play investigation, given that it came to light in February that the club faced over 100 charges from the Premier League for violating its financial rules after a four-year inquiry.
“In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club (Club) to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4,” the Premier League statement reads.
The statement further elaborates on these violations, delineating five distinct points regarding the rulings, before appending: “Commissions are independent of the Premier League and member clubs. The members of the Commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, in accordance with Premier League Rules W.19, W.20 and W.26.
“The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website. This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.”
Regarding potential repercussions, Martyn Ziegler, a writer for The Times, has previously highlighted that if the violations are upheld, Manchester City might face a point deduction in the Premier League, akin to Everton’s punishment. Even more severe consequences could include expulsion from English football’s top-flight.
Predictably, these recent developments have sparked numerous inquiries about the potential impact on Arsenal’s quest to secure the Premier League trophy for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
The straightforward response is that a points deduction for Manchester City would provide Mikel Arteta’s team with a significant advantage in this year’s title race.
Nevertheless, given that the alleged Financial Fair Play breaches span a nine-year period from the 2009-10 to the 2017-18 seasons, there is no possibility of Manchester City being deprived of the Premier League title from last season. In any event, Miguel Delaney of The Independent previously stated: “Figures involved don’t seem to think any prospective punishments would be retrospective or ‘looking backwards’ (ie stripping titles) but this is all described as ‘unprecedented'”.
At the same time, the reigning Premier League champions have, this week, reaffirmed their position, emphasizing that they are open to a review: “On 6 February 2023, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4,” a passage reads from their annual report and financial report.
“In February 2023, in response to the charges, the Club issued a public statement that it welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
Man City to avoid being stripped of Premier League title as Arsenal watch on
