Game over for Manchester City As Facing BAN alert from PGMOL after breaking Financial Fair Play(FFP) 115 charges which is threatening the future of the Premier League Giants
There are currently 115 allegations against the Premier League champions related to potential financial fair play (FFP) violations. Two other Premier League clubs, Everton and Nottingham Forest, have faced point deductions due to breaches of the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
MacAnthony, the chairman of the English Football League (EFL) and head of Peterborough United, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of significant action being taken. Drawing a comparison to the 2006 Calciopoli scandal in Italy, where Juventus was stripped of a trophy, he shared his doubts on talkSPORT, saying, “I don’t know the specific rules related to these allegations. I’m not sure about the penalties or any precedents. Is each charge worth two points? It all seems nonsensical to me. But I expect the media to run with dramatic headlines about relegation, bans, and past championships being revoked. While such things happened in Italy, I don’t believe you can change the past, and I don’t support such actions.”
MacAnthony pointed out that manipulating the system is common in sports. He clarified, “I’m not accusing Manchester City of anything specific. But generally, to recruit the best players and build the strongest team, clubs try to navigate around pay ceilings, regulations, and other restrictions. I’m not saying anyone is breaking laws or rules, but there’s definitely rule-bending going on, and the Premier League isn’t an exception. Given Manchester City’s success over the past decade, they are naturally a prime target for media scrutiny. So, my advice is to wait and see what unfolds.”
Amid the ongoing FFP drama, questions about Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City have arisen. MacAnthony remarked on this, noting that Guardiola, the team’s Catalan coach, is in the final year of his contract. “I can’t speak for Pep, but he’s been with the team for six, maybe eight years, which is a long time. He might be feeling like Jurgen Klopp, who, after achieving so much, thought, ‘I need a break.’”
MacAnthony continued, “This sport is incredibly intense. I understand why Klopp took time off. Being an owner or manager is already challenging, and the relentless pace since Covid has been exhausting. These individuals experience significant physical and mental strain. I can only guess how Pep is feeling, but he might need some time off. If I were Manchester City, I’d say, ‘Pep, take a year off. We’ll put your assistant in charge for a year, and you can return refreshed.’ That’s what I would have done with Jurgen.”
In summary, the Premier League champions are under scrutiny for numerous alleged FFP violations, with Everton and Nottingham Forest having already faced penalties for similar breaches. MacAnthony’s perspective offers a mix of skepticism and understanding about the intense pressures within professional football, highlighting both the potential media sensationalism and the very real personal toll on managers like Guardiola.