Former Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has suggested that the punishment facing Manchester City could be monumental in light of reports regarding their financial misconduct. He believes the fallout could create a seismic shift in English football.
Reports indicate that Manchester City have been found guilty on the majority of the 115 charges levelled against them. The club is poised to appeal the decision, and an official penalty is yet to be announced.
Begovic stated:
This is an unbelievable situation for Manchester City. I think it could fundamentally change the rules of the game. We’ve never seen anything like this before. Not even in other European leagues has there been a precedent like this.
The former Chelsea shot-stopper believes the potential punishment could be so painful that Manchester City might drop not only out of the Premier League:
I'm really intrigued to see how the appeal unfolds and to what extent Manchester City can mitigate the consequences. But I genuinely believe they could end up in amateur football.
I wouldn't be surprised if they were excluded from the entire English Football League system. Moreover, the damage to their reputation would be colossal. Their approach to business, their history, and their legacy would all bear a significant scar.
Begovic also acknowledged that the fans will suffer the most from the potential sanctions:
I feel for the fans, but ultimately punishment is necessary, and rules must be adhered to. We'll see what happens following the appeal.
Manchester City has already expressed discontent over the premature release of information regarding the commission's decision before its official announcement and confirmed their intention to launch an appeal.
