Former Manchester City chairman, David Bernstein, has warned that the club could face relegation or a significant points deduction following the verdict in the Premier League’s financial rules case against the champions.
The Premier League reportedly established the bulk of its allegations against City after a hearing that concluded in December 2024.
The club, which has consistently denied any wrongdoing, is expected to appeal the verdict, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak maintaining that City remain confident of clearing their name.
Bernstein, who led Manchester City between 1998 and 2003 and later served as chairman of the Football Association, argued that a financial fine would not represent a sufficient punishment for a club with substantial financial resources.
“I would first of all say that financial penalties will not be enough. We’re talking about a club with limitless pockets – money doesn’t mean very much as we saw in the last transfer window and whether it’s [a fine of] £100m, £200m, that would not be sufficient,” Bernstein told talkSPORT.
His comments came after City reportedly spent £440m during the previous summer transfer window, including £125m on Enzo Fernandez, highlighting the scale of the club’s spending power.
Bernstein believes the timing of any punishment would also be significant, particularly if the Premier League opts for a points deduction.
“Unfortunately – I say all of these things with great sorrow, I really do, as a fan – I think there has to be something that will affect their league status,” he said.
He suggested that an 80-point deduction early in a season could leave City facing almost certain relegation, while a punishment handed down after the campaign could result in automatic demotion.
“But if this happens at the end of the season, because of the appeals and so on, it’s a different kettle of fish, and then you may be talking about an automatic relegation – to which division I don’t know,” Bernstein added.
The charges against City relate to alleged financial breaches spanning 14 years and include claims concerning financial information, former manager Roberto Mancini’s remuneration and payments to players, as well as an allegation that the club failed to cooperate with the investigation.
City have won eight Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, four FA Cups and seven EFL Cups during the period covered by the charges.
However, with the club expected to appeal, the final punishment remains unresolved.
