Manchester City’s hearing against 115 alleged FFP breaches has started in London and top sports lawyer – Nick De Marco KC – has shared his thoughts on would-be punishments.
A top sports lawyer says Manchester City should not be relegated by the Premier League if found guilty of any of their 115 financial charges. The Premier League’s investigation into City’s behind-the-scenes activity, dating back to 2009, began this week and it’s hoped that a verdict regarding whether or not Pep Guardiola’s side have broken the FFP rules will be given by the start of 2025.
Plenty of potential punishments have been suggested if City fail to clear their name, one of which is the threat of being sent down one or multiple divisions. Of the opinion this would be the wrong course of action, sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC has shared his view on the matter.
Recently involved in helping Leicester City avoid Premier League punishment regarding their own alleged financial breaches, De Marco has now been discussing City’s case, and has insisted the opportunity to relegate teams hands too much power to authorities.
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“In my view, things as important as promotion and relegation should be determined on the pitch,” the 57-year-old told The Times. “It spoils the game for it to be determined by people like me; lawyers, accountants and ex-lawyers, who are arbitrators, hearing legal arguments behind closed doors.
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“I’m going to make my money out of it because that’s my business. But I don’t necessarily think it’s right.”
On the threat of a points deduction, he added: “As a football fan, I really do think points deductions should be the very last thing people look at for breaches. Yet it’s becoming a routine starting point and I do think that spoils a lot of the fun and entertainment of the game.
“I can see the argument for points deductions, because they can be the best way to redress a sporting advantage given the obvious flaws with financial penalties. If you are a very wealthy owner – intent on just spending anything in breach of the rules – you’re not going to worry too much about financial penalty, but I still think point deductions should be a last resort.”
