The independent commission's findings against Manchester City on 114 out of 115 charges could lead to seismic changes in the history of English football. This sweeping case involves alleged financial violations from 2009 to 2018, including financial statement distortion, undisclosed payments to players and coaches, a failure to comply with financial fair play regulations, and a refusal to cooperate with investigations.
While definitive sanctions are yet to be announced, the club is preparing to launch an official appeal. However, should the "Citizens" face sanctions that strip them of their hard-earned medals and retroactively award titles to the teams that finished in second place, the list of Premier League champions would undergo a significant transformation.
In this hypothetical scenario, Manchester United would gain three championship trophies, Liverpool would collect three, and Arsenal would secure two.
2011/12 Season – Manchester United
Possibly the most dramatic conclusion in league history. Manchester United and Manchester City both finished the season with 89 points, but the "Citizens" took the crown due to a superior goal difference. That championship campaign is forever etched in memory thanks to Sergio Aguero’s legendary last-gasp goal against Queens Park Rangers, clinching City's first Premier League title in the modern era. If that result is annulled, the title would rightfully belong to the "Red Devils".
2013/14 Season – Liverpool
Liverpool, guided by Brendan Rodgers, finished in second place with 84 points, just two shy of the Manchester team who ended with 86. That year was marked by Luis Suarez's phenomenal performance, netting 31 goals throughout the campaign. The trophy was decided on the final day, and a review of the results would mean the title is rightfully awarded to the Merseysiders.
2017/18 Season – Manchester United
A historic season for Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola’s team became the first in Premier League history to reach the remarkable milestone of 100 points in a single season. Manchester United finished second with 81 points, trailing a massive 19 points behind. However, if the achievements of the opponents are annulled, the trophy would pass to the team from the red side of Manchester, despite the substantial gap.
2018/19 Season – Liverpool
One of the most painful moments in Jurgen Klopp’s managerial era. Liverpool delivered an impeccable campaign, losing only once and accumulating an impressive 97 points. Nevertheless, Manchester City finished with an astonishing 98 points, edging past the Merseysiders by just one. Should City's title be wiped from the records, Liverpool’s outstanding achievement would be officially recognized as championship-winning.
2020/21 Season – Manchester United
Manchester United finished in second place with 74 points, trailing the leader by 12 points (City secured victory with 86 points). For Guardiola's team, it was a comfortable and convincing triumph, but if the end results come under scrutiny due to sanctions, the title would transfer to United.
2021/22 Season – Liverpool
Another uncompromising title race concluded with just one point separating the two teams. Liverpool amassed 92 points, while Manchester City finished with 93 thanks to an incredible comeback in their final match against Aston Villa, turning a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 win. Stripping the success of the "Citizens" would grant another Premier League trophy to the "Reds".
2022/23 Season – Arsenal
For the Gunners, this retrospective calculation would be monumental. Mikel Arteta's side led for much of the season but lost momentum towards the end, finishing second with 84 points compared to City’s 89. Should awards be redistributed, Arsenal would clinch their first Premier League title since the unbeaten season of 2003/04.
2023/24 Season – Arsenal
The following year, Arsenal again battled for glory until the last match, finishing second with 89 points, just two behind City’s 91. The Manchester giants set a record in the top English division by winning four consecutive titles. A hypothetical ruling overturning those results would see Arsenal awarded two successive championship titles.
At present, such developments remain purely theoretical. Manchester City retains their trophies, an official ruling on sanctions is pending, and legal battles are set to unravel during the appeal process. Whether historical titles will indeed be annulled and automatically handed over to the runners-up of those seasons hinges directly on the final legal outcomes of this unprecedented case.
