Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has expressed deep concern over the potential sanctions the club may face following allegations of extensive breaches of Premier League financial regulations. Speaking on Times Radio, Bernstein emphasized that monetary fines alone would not be an adequate penalty if the club is found guilty of the substantial number of charges reportedly leveled against it.

Bernstein, who led Manchester City from 1998 to 2003, said the situation was “really awful” given his longstanding connection to the club as both a former executive and a fan for more than seven decades. He acknowledged the achievements the club has made in recent years but lamented that this success is now overshadowed by the ongoing investigations.

“My beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty,” Bernstein said, though he refrained from specifying what form that should take, suggesting that any punishment more severe than financial penalties might be necessary. He called for the appeal process—which Manchester City intends to pursue—to be expedited, noting that prolonged uncertainty could be harmful to both the club and English football as a whole.

Bernstein criticized the length of the investigation and warned against a drawn-out appeals timeline, stating that a swift resolution is essential to restore stability. “The appeal process cannot go on for year after year, I think that would be a disaster,” he said, highlighting the broader implications for the sport beyond this particular case.

Manchester City currently faces allegations covering approximately 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules, though the club denies any wrongdoing and has committed to contesting the charges. The governing body has not yet announced a final decision or disclosed details of any sanctions.

As the matter progresses, Bernstein’s comments underline the tension between preserving the integrity of competition and minimizing disruption to one of English football’s most prominent clubs. The case remains closely watched by fans and stakeholders amid calls for transparency and prompt adjudication.