‘Send Them Don To Non-League’

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Manchester City is under investigation for alleged financial rule breaches from 2009 to 2018, with possible sanctions including fines, points deductions, or relegation. AFC Wimbledon co-founder Ivor Heller argues that only severe penalties, similar to his club's experience of restarting from the bottom tier, would adequately address the scale of City’s violations.

Manchester City could face significant sanctions, including fines, points deductions, or even relegation, over alleged breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. However, Ivor Heller, co-founder of AFC Wimbledon, argues that such penalties may not be sufficient given the scale of the violations.

Heller, whose club faced a drastic setback in 2002 when AFC Wimbledon was forced to restart in the ninth tier of English football, believes City should be subjected to similarly severe consequences. “We were used to playing at grounds like Anfield, Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge then, suddenly, we lost everything and had to play at places like Sandhurst, Cove and Hartley Wintney,” he said. Despite not breaking any rules, AFC Wimbledon had to begin anew following the controversial relocation of their predecessor club to Milton Keynes, which erased the original team’s presence from their local fanbase.

The move granted Milton Keynes a professional club, but left Wimbledon supporters with no local side to support. Undeterred, Heller and a group of supporters founded AFC Wimbledon and began competing in the Combined Counties League, the ninth tier of English football. “We had nothing. No money, no players, no coaches – and no idea how to run a football club,” Heller recalled in his autobiography, *We Shall Not Be Moved*. “We were a Championship side when we were shunted to Milton Keynes, but instead of starting again at that level, we were forced to start at the bottom.”

Heller emphasized that his views are personal and do not necessarily represent AFC Wimbledon’s official position. Still, he expressed skepticism that City would endure a comparable level of hardship unless they were forced to descend to non-league football. “Fining them won’t hurt the same way,” he said. “When you’re pushed right down to the bottom, with nothing but the pure love of your club to drive you on, it’s a sobering experience.”

The Premier League club currently faces an ongoing investigation into their financial conduct over nearly a decade, with the Football Association reportedly considering several disciplinary options. While the full extent of potential punishments remains uncertain, voices like Heller’s highlight a broader debate about appropriate sanctions in football’s governance when major clubs violate financial rules.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.