Former England defender Gary Neville has warned that the owners of Manchester City could struggle to maintain their standing at the club if the Premier League’s decision on alleged financial misconduct is upheld after the appeal process. The club announced on Friday that it has filed a thorough appeal against the guilty finding issued by an independent commission, which accused City of breaching financial regulations on a massive scale over a nine‑year period. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the protracted investigation, which began in 2018 and reached a pivotal moment on Tuesday when the Premier League released its final determination, stating that the club was "guilty of all charges related to serious breaches" of the league’s financial‑fair‑play rules.
The governing body warned that possible penalties range from a hefty fine to a points deduction, and in the most extreme scenario, removal from the competition altogether. Neville, who also co‑owns EFL side Salford City, argued that the appropriate response should be to reassess whether Manchester City’s owners satisfy the league’s owners’ and directors’ test. He said the alleged conduct has "dragged English football through the mud" and that the integrity of the sport demands a rigorous review of the individuals who control its most high‑profile clubs.
"It’s difficult to imagine how the Man City owners could pass the owners’ and directors’ test in this country if the guilty verdict remains in place," Neville said. "Because of past instances of improper ownership, the league has introduced stricter vetting rules. It will be a real challenge for the City owners to retain their status under those standards." He emphasized that football clubs are more than commercial enterprises; they are community assets that hold deep meaning for fans and the cities they represent. "Owners must adhere to the rules and regulations set out in the test," Neville added.
"The only sensible sanction is first to apply the owners’ and directors’ test, then to evaluate the achievements earned during the period in question and decide whether they should still stand." Neville continued, "Those two actions would have the most direct impact on English football. If I were Manchester City, I would accept a fine or even a points deduction – even a 60‑point penalty – because that would only cause a temporary setback.
Owning a football club in this country is one of the greatest responsibilities you can have, and it must be taken seriously." He warned against focusing solely on monetary penalties, arguing that the core issues are the legitimacy of the club’s successes and the accountability of the owners and executives who oversaw that era. "We can’t get bogged down with fines and points deductions; we need to concentrate on two things: the achievements during that time and what happens to the owners and executives who oversaw that period," he said.
The investigative panel that examined Manchester City’s accounts concluded that the club had artificially inflated its revenue by more than £900 million through what the league described as "sham" deals, effectively sidestepping financial‑fair‑play restrictions. This inflated income allowed City to splurge on top‑tier talent, facilitating a period of dominance in English football that saw them capture the league title and other major trophies repeatedly.
Neville expressed disappointment that the Premier League, which he called "our greatest export around the world," is now tarnished by the scandal. "The best team of the last 15 years is now being labelled as having won titles inappropriately.
That’s devastating," he said. He added that if the guilty verdict remains, the club’s accomplishments will forever be viewed through a cloud of suspicion. "If the guilty verdict stands, it won’t be real.
It will be a period tainted forever. The achievements themselves are tarnished." In summary, Neville’s stance is clear: the focus should shift from punitive fines to a thorough review of ownership suitability and a reassessment of the club’s recent triumphs. By applying the owners’ and directors’ test and scrutinising the legitimacy of the titles won, the Premier League can protect the integrity of English football and ensure that clubs remain true community assets rather than vehicles for unchecked financial power.