The independent commission's decision, which found Manchester City guilty on 114 of 115 charges, has ignited a firestorm within the footballing world. Fans are unified in their demands for severe penalties from the English football authorities.
Supporters believe Manchester City has been systematically flouting the rules while expanding their infrastructure and global fanbase, essentially purchasing their media status. They argue that any half-measures would simply render the law a joke.
Fines are just a 'price tag for deceit'
The prevailing sentiment among neutral fans and rival supporters is a stark rejection of cosmetic fines or mere points deductions:
'A fine is just a price tag': Supporters argue that point deductions or financial penalties hold little weight for a club with an unlimited budget. While clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest have genuinely suffered by parting with key players and weakening their squads to adhere to profitability rules, the multi-billion-pound City can easily absorb any financial blows.
The example of Rangers in Scotland: Fans are quick to recall the 2012 case of Scottish giants Rangers, who were demoted to the fourth tier for financial wrongdoing. The club recovered stronger, and supporters believe that a similar relegation scenario for City, possibly down to non-league, would be a just outcome.
A ten-year transfer ban: Some fans are calling for a long-term ban on registering new players in conjunction with relegation, akin to the Calciopoli scandal and Juventus' fate in 2006.
'They only won on the pitch because they broke the rules off it'
Letters from fans robustly counter the arguments of City’s defenders, including claims from Ballon d'Or winner Rodri that trophies are earned solely through the players' and coaching staff's efforts:
To suggest spending is separate from football is absurd. City breached regulations precisely to triumph on the pitch. We’ll never know if Sergio Aguero would have joined the club without those under-the-table payments. Their ability to field two top-tier players for every position and compete on multiple fronts every season was facilitated by financial manipulation. Their academy and training facilities were funded by the same dubious resources.
The trophy dilemma: redistribute or erase?
Questions surrounding the fate of championships and cups have sparked intense debate even among affected parties:
- Nullify but don’t re-award: Many fans, including those from Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, agree that retrospective medal awards to clubs finishing second would not bring back lost emotions. A more accurate approach would be to leave those historical lines blank: 'Who won the Premier League in 2012? No one. That was the year City cheated.'
- Criminal accountability: Readers highlight the UK's Fraud Act 2006. Intentionally distorting sponsorship payouts and disguising direct contributions from owners as commercial income could constitute a criminal offence, warranting investigation by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
City fans have nothing to complain about
The letters also express a strong stance regarding City’s supporters. The notion that the ordinary fans are victims of the club's leadership is dismissed:
Don't feel sorry for City fans. They’ve been treated to nearly two decades of glory: the finest football, the best players in the world, and the greatest manager. They’ve received infrastructure and victories they couldn’t have dreamed of 20 years ago. Even if the club is expelled, they'll retain their status, recognition, and a vast fanbase. They've robbed the bank, enjoyed themselves, and will remain winners even after serving their punishment.
