Hit Man City with justice ‘as quickly as possible’, minister tells Premier League after 'guilty verdicts' | OneFootball

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it was in the interest of fans from all clubs that the dispute does not ‘drag on any longer’

The Premier League was urged by the Government to resolve the Manchester City storm “as quickly as possible” after they were reportedly found guilty of the vast majority of 115 breaches of financial rules.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stressed it was in the interest of fans from all clubs that the dispute does not “drag on any longer”.

“This has got to come to some sort of conclusion relatively quickly,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“It’s really destabilising, obviously, particularly for Manchester City fans and for everyone at the club, but also for all football fans who need to know that the rules are fair, that they're consistently applied, and believe in the integrity of the game.

The eight time Premier League winners have been found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules, according to reports.

The club were charged in February 2023 with more than 100 breaches of league rules, charges which City strenuously denied.

Now it is being reported that City have been found guilty on almost all of those charges by an independent commission, but that City are to appeal.

If the verdicts stand a number of possible punishments are possible, including a huge points deduction, financial penalties, or removal from the Premier League.

Pressed how the involvement of Abu Dhabi (financial backers of Man City) could potentially complicate matters given that the United Arab Emirates are an ally of the UK, Ms Nandy responded: “We welcome investment to English football from all over the world.

“But the rules of the game are not set by investors.

“Investors are custodians of our football club, and they have a responsibility to uphold the rules of the game, to hand on their clubs and the game in better shape than the one that they left it, and it's not for them to set the rules of the game.

“I say that with no comment to the individual owners of Manchester City, but just as a general rule.

“Football belongs to its fans, and the Premier League sets its own rules with its clubs, and it needs to sort this out and sort this out as quickly as possible.”

The chair of Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport committee Dame Caroline Dinenage said:"The reports about the Premier League's findings against Manchester City FC have profound implications for our national game.

“The extraordinary length and cost of this process raise serious concerns, and the affair again gives rise to questions about financial fairness across the football pyramid.

“The matter must be allowed to take its course and due process must be followed, but I sincerely hope any further stages are completed as swiftly as is reasonably possible.”