Gary Neville has warned that the owners of Manchester City could struggle to "retain their status" at the club if the Premier League’s decision on alleged financial violations remains in force 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 widespread breaches of financial regulations over a nine‑year span. Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the 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 league’s financial‑fair‑play rules. The league indicated that possible penalties could range from a hefty fine to a points deduction, and in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the competition.
Neville, who also co‑owns EFL side Salford City, argued that the only sensible response would be to reassess whether City’s owners meet the standards set out in 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 demands a rigorous review.
"It’s difficult to see how Manchester City’s owners could satisfy the owners’ and directors’ test if the guilty verdict stands," Neville said. "Because of the presence of improper owners, the league has introduced stricter safeguards. It will be challenging for the City owners to keep their standing under those rules." He 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 regulations and laws that underpin the test," Neville added.
"The appropriate first step is to apply the owners’ and directors’ test, then evaluate the club’s achievements during the period in question to decide whether they should still be recognised." Neville suggested that the most impactful consequences for English football would stem from those two actions rather than from fines or points deductions alone. "If I were Manchester City, I would welcome a fine or even a massive points deduction – say 60 points – because that would only cause a temporary setback," he remarked. "Owning a football club in this country carries one of the greatest responsibilities imaginable and must be taken seriously." He argued that the focus should shift away from monetary penalties toward a deeper examination of the club’s accomplishments during the disputed era and the accountability of the owners and executives who oversaw that period. "We can’t get stuck on fines and points deductions; we need to concentrate on the two most important issues: the achievements of that time and the fate of the owners and directors who managed the club," Neville said.
The investigatory panel found that Manchester City had artificially inflated its revenue through what the league described as "sham" deals, amounting to more than £900 million. This manipulation allowed the club to bypass financial‑fair‑play limits and spend heavily on world‑class talent, contributing to a period of dominance in English football’s premier competitions. Neville expressed his disappointment that the Premier League, which he described as "our greatest export around the world," is now being tarnished because the most successful team of the past 15 years faces accusations of winning titles in an improper manner.
"If the guilty verdict stands, those triumphs will never feel genuine. The era will be forever stained, and the achievements themselves will be tainted," he warned.
In summary, Neville’s stance is clear: the league should first apply the owners’ and directors’ test to assess Manchester City’s leadership, then scrutinise the club’s historic successes to determine whether they can remain celebrated. By doing so, the Premier League would address the root of the problem rather than merely imposing financial penalties, thereby preserving the integrity of English football for future generations.