A number of commentators feel that Manchester City’s imminent Premier League FFP case clouds their accomplishments in front of this weekend’s championship match.
Manchester City could be set to ift their fourth title in as many years this weekend (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City could win the Premier League for a record fourth time in a row if they defeat West Ham on Sunday, which would make it six titles in seven years.
Whatever the outcome of the Premier League’s financial dispute, Pep Guardiola himself will go down as one of the greatest managers of all time. But if the Blues are proven to be guilty of the 115 charges leveled against them—a charge they categorically refute—the club’s success will be ruined.
Although the start date of the hearing for the legislation dispute with the Premier League has not been made public, it is scheduled to begin this year. Pundits have weighed in on the situation and its effects on City’s reputation in the months before this weekend’s championship match.
“Man City’s response is perplexing.”
In The Telegraph, Jamie Carragher
“I’d be interested in learning the owners’ or advisors’ thoughts about the matter continuing as City gets ready to win the Premier League for the fourth time in a row after winning the Treble last year. They have to admit that it’s a PR catastrophe.
That’s the thing that perplexes me about the entire vile situation. Anybody who is absolutely certain of their innocence being accused of anything should typically demand that a hearing be scheduled as soon as possible for the parties involved.
“Where’s the City statement where they express their anger or frustration at how long the process is taking? To kick the can down the road is to heap too much criticism on a remarkable manager and his team, none of whom will know anything about the way the club was run during those years of suspicion.
“Guardiola should not have to win his sixth Premier League title in such disarray. With a great squad, a manager, coaching and technical staff, and one of the best football teams ever, Manchester City deserves all the accolades.
“As a group? I would argue that the case is closed. Regretfully, we have allowed the jury or Premier League commission to deliberate over that decision for far too long.
“The elephant in the room is this.”
Sky Sports’ Ian Wright
The number of trophies won indicates that Pep has done a great job, but what really stands out is the work Klopp has put into trying to catch Manchester City, the way he’s assembled that team, and the amount of time it’s taken them to get there.
“You have to admit, even though Pep’s actions may have been simpler, Klopp still needs a lot of support. Regarding the trophies, it is visible to all, but discussing City would be incomplete without mentioning the 115 charges that surround them.
“When you talk about the team and the manager, it’s like there’s an elephant in the room. The one thing I would like more than anything else is for that to go so you can give them the love they deserve.”
“You want to talk about them and this rivalry without acknowledging that it’s unfair to the players and the team. They would benefit more from that being eliminated as soon as possible, but you can’t ignore the quantity of trophies and claim that Guardiola hasn’t improved.”
“FFP case judges Man City greatness”
In Sportskeeda, Paul Merson
“They are just an incredible team, but you have to wait and see what the charges bring before passing judgment on this, but I’ve always wondered if this Manchester City team is the best in Premier League history.”
“Man City ought to desire a speedy process.”
On The Overlap, Gary Neville
Since elite clubs are the highest revenue-generating teams, [FFP] was brought in to protect them. It bothers me, and the rules ought to be changed.
One of their diversionary tactics is to claim that the Premier League is only targeting smaller clubs, ignoring Manchester City, which is the obvious problem because their charges haven’t been made public.
“It is in everyone’s best interests, including Manchester City, to move that case along and complete it more quickly. It is unsustainable and detrimental to the Premier League.
“These charges need to be brought forward, even if it’s some of the simpler ones out of the 115 – there is a date set, but Richard Masters wouldn’t share it.”
