A club owner and former footballer has called for severe sanctions against Manchester City if allegations of financial misconduct are upheld, equating the breach to a form of "financial doping" that unfairly advantages teams in competition. Speaking about the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Manchester City, the unnamed owner emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity within the sport and warned against lenient punishments that could encourage further violations.
The commentary comes amid heightened attention on Manchester City’s recent legal challenges related to alleged financial rule breaches. The owner, whose own club faced penalties from the English Football League (EFL) in 2025 for making late payments and faced restrictions on transfers, stressed that football must remain a level playing field. He underscored the impact of unfair financial dealings, stating that such practices create an uneven competitive landscape by allowing certain clubs to disproportionately strengthen their squads through means outside the sport’s established rules.
“As an owner, I shouldn’t speak too much about it because I’m not inside it to know everything in detail, but if something involved in football is unfair, then it should be punished,” he said. He called for punishments proportionate to the offenses, warning that minor penalties would only invite repeat offenses. He highlighted his preference for “natural money” in football and expressed concern over growing financial disparities between clubs, which could be exacerbated by illicit conduct.
Former Liverpool midfielder and manager Graeme Souness added to the debate by stating that the reputational damage suffered by Manchester City—if found guilty—would be severe enough to undermine their historical achievements. Speaking on Track Radio, Souness suggested that the club’s honors during the period in question should be invalidated, and even proposed that some titles could be awarded to Liverpool as a corrective measure.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano reportedly addressed the European Football Clubs board meeting in Copenhagen, indicating that the ongoing legal proceedings are expected to extend over a prolonged period before any resolution is reached.
The case has drawn significant attention across the football community, highlighting ongoing tensions around financial regulation, club governance, and the broader implications for competitive fairness in English and European football. The outcome could set important precedents for how football authorities handle similar cases in the future.