Former England defender and television pundit Gary Neville has warned that the ownership consortium behind Manchester City could struggle to maintain its standing at the club if the Premier League’s decision regarding alleged financial violations remains in force after the appeal process. Manchester City announced on Friday that it has submitted a thorough appeal challenging the guilty finding issued by an independent commission, which accused the club of extensive breaches of the league’s financial regulations over a nine‑year span.
The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout this protracted investigation, which began in 2018 and reached a critical juncture on Tuesday when the Premier League released its final determination, stating that City was "guilty of all charges related to serious breaches." The governing body outlined a range of possible penalties, from monetary fines and points deductions to the most severe sanction—expulsion from the competition. While the exact repercussions are still being debated, Neville, who also co‑owns EFL side Salford City, argued that the appropriate response should focus on whether City’s owners meet the league’s owners’ and directors’ test, rather than merely imposing financial or sporting penalties. "It’s difficult to imagine how the Manchester City owners could satisfy the owners’ and directors’ test in this country if the guilty verdict stands," Neville said.
"Because of past misconduct by club owners, the league has introduced stricter vetting rules. It will be a real challenge for City’s owners to retain their status under those regulations." Neville emphasized that football clubs are more than commercial enterprises; they are community assets that hold deep significance for fans and the cities they represent. "Owners must adhere to the rules and laws set out in the test," he added.
"The only sensible course of action is to apply the owners’ and directors’ test first, then evaluate the achievements during the period in question to decide whether they should continue to be recognised." He went on to suggest that the most consequential actions for English football would be those two steps. "If I were Manchester City, I would prefer a fine or even a points deduction—perhaps a 60‑point penalty—because that would be a temporary setback," Neville explained. "Owning a football club in this country carries enormous responsibility and must be taken seriously. We shouldn’t get lost in fines and points deductions; we need to concentrate on the achievements of that era and on the owners and executives who oversaw it." The investigatory panel’s findings allege that City artificially inflated its revenue by more than £900 million through what the league described as "sham" deals, effectively sidestepping the financial‑fair‑play regulations that are meant to ensure clubs live within their means.
This alleged financial manipulation, according to the panel, enabled City to sign some of the world’s top talent and dominate the major English trophies over a period in which they were arguably the most successful team in the country. Neville expressed his disappointment at the broader implications for the Premier League, which he described as "our greatest export around the world." He warned that the league’s reputation could suffer if the most dominant team of the past 15 years is officially deemed to have won titles inappropriately.
"If the guilty verdict stands, the era will forever be tainted. The achievements themselves will be viewed through a cloud of suspicion," he said. In summary, Neville’s stance is that the league should first assess whether City’s owners satisfy the stringent owners’ and directors’ test, and then consider the legacy of the club’s on‑field successes.
He believes that such an approach would have a more lasting impact on the integrity of English football than a simple fine or points deduction. By focusing on the governance and ethical standards of club ownership, the Premier League can protect the sport’s reputation and ensure that clubs remain true community assets rather than merely profit‑driven enterprises. Neville’s comments come at a time when the football world is watching closely, aware that the outcome could set a precedent for how financial misconduct is handled across the sport. The appeal process is ongoing, and the final decision will shape not only Manchester City’s future but also the broader framework of financial regulation within the Premier League.
The situation continues to develop, and fans, officials, and stakeholders alike await the league’s final ruling on the matter.