Gary Neville has warned that the ownership group behind Manchester City could face a serious challenge in maintaining their position at the club if the Premier League’s decision on alleged financial misconduct remains unchanged after the appeal process. The club announced on Friday that it has filed a thorough appeal aimed at overturning the guilty finding issued by an independent commission, which accused City of extensive breaches of the league’s financial regulations over a nine‑year span. Manchester City 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 formal determination that the club was "guilty of all charges related to serious breaches." The governing body outlined a range of possible penalties, from hefty fines and points deductions to, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the competition. Neville, who also co‑owns EFL side Salford City, argued that the appropriate response should focus first on whether City’s owners meet 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 see how the Manchester City owners could satisfy the owners’ and directors’ test in this country if the guilty verdict stands," Neville said.
"The reality is that because of improper owners of clubs, the league has introduced stricter rules. It will be a real test for the City owners to retain their status under those regulations." He emphasized that football clubs are more than commercial enterprises; they are community assets that hold deep meaning for fans and the wider city. "Owners must comply with the rules and laws set out in the test," Neville added.
"The only appropriate punishment is to apply the owners’ and directors’ test first, then evaluate the achievements during the period in question to decide whether they should still be recognised." Neville suggested that the most consequential actions would be those that directly affect the club’s standing and the individuals responsible for the alleged breaches. "If I were Manchester City, I would prefer a fine or even a points deduction – even a 60‑point penalty – because that would only cause a temporary setback," he explained. "Owning a football club in this country is one of the greatest responsibilities one can have, and it must be taken seriously." He warned against getting sidetracked by fines alone, urging that the focus remain on two key issues: the legitimacy of the titles won during the disputed period 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 the achievements of that time and what happens to the owners and executives who oversaw that period," Neville asserted. The investigatory panel’s report found that Manchester City had artificially boosted its revenue by more than £900 million through what the league described as "sham" deals, effectively circumventing financial fair‑play regulations.
This inflated income allowed the club to acquire some of the world’s most elite players, contributing to a decade‑long dominance of England’s top trophies. Neville expressed deep disappointment that the Premier League, which he described as "our greatest export around the world," is now under a cloud because the most successful team of the past fifteen years could be deemed to have won titles improperly. "If the guilty verdict stands, it won’t be real. It will be a period forever tainted, and the achievements themselves will be marred," he said.
In summary, Neville’s stance is clear: the primary concern should be whether the owners pass the league’s stringent vetting process and, if not, whether their tenure should be reconsidered. While financial penalties and points deductions are certainly on the table, the lasting impact will be determined by how the football community chooses to remember the titles won under questionable financial practices. The upcoming appeal will therefore not only decide City’s immediate fate but also set a precedent for how the Premier League handles ownership misconduct in the future.