Former England defender Gary Neville has warned that the group of owners behind Manchester City could struggle to "retain their status" at the club if the Premier League’s decision on alleged financial misconduct remains in force after the appeal process is concluded. The club announced on Friday that it has filed a "comprehensive" appeal against the guilty finding issued by an independent commission, which accused City of systematic breaches of the league’s financial rules over a nine‑year period. Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout a protracted investigation that began in 2018. The case 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 financial‑fair‑play regulations.
According to the league, possible sanctions range from a monetary 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 only sensible response would be to re‑examine whether City’s owners satisfy the league’s owners’ and directors’ test. He said the alleged misconduct has "dragged English football through the mud" and that the integrity of the sport must be protected. He explained: "It’s hard to see how the Man City owners can comply with the owners’ and directors’ test in this country if the verdict remains.
The reality is, because of improper owners of clubs, there are a lot stricter rules in place. It’ll be difficult for the Man City owners to retain their status." Neville 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 have to comply with the rules and laws set out in the test," he said. "The only appropriate punishment is to apply the owners’ and directors’ test first, then look at the achievements over the period and decide whether they should still stand." He added that the two factors – the owners’ compliance and the legitimacy of the club’s achievements – would have the most direct impact on English football. "If I were Manchester City, I’d accept a fine or even a points deduction, even if it were 60 points, because that would only damage you for a moment in time," Neville remarked.
"Owning a football club in this country is one of the greatest responsibilities you can have. It needs to be taken very seriously." Neville cautioned against focusing solely on monetary penalties or points deductions. "We can’t get bogged down with fines and points deductions; we must concentrate on the two most important things: the achievements during that time and what happens to the owners and executives who oversaw that period," he said. The investigatory panel’s report concluded that Manchester City had artificially inflated its revenue by more than £900 million through what the league described as "sham" deals, effectively sidestepping the financial‑fair‑play framework.
This inflated income allowed the club to spend heavily on world‑class talent, contributing to a period of dominance in English football’s biggest competitions. Neville expressed deep disappointment that the Premier League, which he described as "our greatest export around the world," is now being tarnished by the scandal.
"The very best team over the last 15 years, as we stand, are guilty of winning titles inappropriately. That’s devastating," he said. "If the guilty verdict stands it won’t be real.
It’ll be a period tainted forever. The achievements themselves are tarnished." In his view, the long‑term health of the sport depends on ensuring that clubs are run by owners who meet the highest standards of integrity and transparency. He called for a thorough application of the owners’ and directors’ test, followed by a careful assessment of whether the titles and trophies earned under the current ownership should be allowed to remain in the official record. Neville’s comments come at a time when the football community is watching closely to see how the Premier League will enforce its rules and what precedent will be set for future cases of alleged financial misconduct.
The outcome will likely influence not only Manchester City’s future but also the broader conversation about financial governance, competitive fairness, and the responsibilities of club owners in the modern game. As the appeal proceeds, fans, pundits, and officials alike will be waiting for a definitive ruling that could reshape the narrative of one of the most successful eras in English football history.