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 remains in force after the appeal process. The Manchester City board announced on Friday that it has filed a thorough appeal against the guilty finding issued by an independent commission, which accused the club of systematic breaches of the league’s financial regulations over a nine‑year span. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout a protracted investigation that 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".
The governing body warned that possible penalties could range from a substantial 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 appropriate response should focus on whether the City owners satisfy the league’s owners’ and directors’ test, a set of vetting criteria designed to ensure that club proprietors meet strict ethical and financial standards. He said the alleged conduct of Manchester City’s owners has "dragged English football through the mud" and that the integrity of the sport depends on rigorous enforcement of those standards. "It is difficult to see how the Man City owners can meet the owners’ and directors’ test if the guilty verdict stands," Neville said.
"Because of the presence of improper owners, the league has introduced much tougher rules. It will be a real challenge for the City owners to retain their status under those conditions." He emphasized that football clubs are more than commercial enterprises; they are community assets that hold deep meaning for supporters and the cities they represent. "Owners must comply with the rules and laws set out in the test," Neville added. "The only sensible punishment is to first apply the owners’ and directors’ test, then examine the achievements during the period in question and decide whether they should still be recognised." Neville suggested that the most consequential actions for English football would be to scrutinise the owners’ eligibility and to reassess the club’s honours earned while the alleged breaches occurred.
"If I were Manchester City, I would accept a fine or even a points deduction – even a 60‑point penalty – because that would only affect the club in the short term," he explained. "Owning a football club in this country is one of the greatest responsibilities you can have, and it must be taken very seriously." He warned against becoming preoccupied solely with monetary penalties or point deductions, urging a focus on two key issues: the legitimacy of the titles won during the period under investigation and the accountability of the owners and executives who oversaw that era.
"We cannot 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," Neville said. The investigatory panel concluded 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 skirt Financial Fair Play rules and to spend heavily on world‑class talent, contributing to a period of dominance in England’s top‑flight competitions. Neville lamented the broader impact on the Premier League’s global reputation. "The Premier League is our greatest export around the world, and now it is being dragged through the mud because the very best team of the last 15 years is being accused of winning titles improperly.
That is devastating," he said. "If the guilty verdict stands, the successes will never feel genuine. The era will be forever tainted, and the achievements themselves will be forever marred." In summary, Neville’s message is clear: the focus should shift from superficial sanctions to a thorough examination of ownership suitability and the authenticity of Manchester City’s recent triumphs.
Only by applying the owners’ and directors’ test and reassessing the club’s accolades can English football preserve its integrity and maintain the trust of fans worldwide.