What Happened?
The current Premier League champions have been hit with 115 allegations of breaching financial fair play rules. As per the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), teams like Everton and Nottingham Forest have already faced point deductions for similar issues.
What Did MacAnthony Say?
EFL chairman and Peterborough owner, Darragh MacAnthony, shared his doubts about severe action being taken against Manchester City.
Referring to the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, where Juventus lost a trophy, MacAnthony told TalkSPORT, “I’m not sure what the penalty will be for such charges.
Two points per charge seems reasonable, but talks of ‘relegation’ or ‘stripping past titles’ seem far-fetched to me. While that may have happened in Italy, you can’t change the past.
Everyone in football looks for ways to work around the system, and I believe the same applies to the Premier League. Man City may be an easy target for the media, but we should let things play out before making any judgments.”
What About Guardiola?
Questions about Pep Guardiola’s future have also surfaced, as he enters the final year of his contract with Manchester City. MacAnthony added, “I can’t speak for Pep, but after six or more years at City, he might feel like Jurgen Klopp did and take a break.
This game is relentless, especially with the pressures of COVID and everything else. If I were City, I’d tell Pep to take a year off, let his assistant take charge, and return refreshed.”
Next Steps
City, who have won four consecutive Premier League titles, will continue preparing for the new season with pre-season friendlies against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea in the United States before beginning their title defense at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
