3 months ago
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MANCHETER CITY could be kicked out of all of England’s domestic competitions if they are found guilty of their alleged rule reaches.
City are facing between 115 and 130 breaches brought to them by the Premier League in an unprecedented case.
GettyCity are facing potential points deductions and the possibility of relegation from the Premier League if they are found to have breached the rules.
And it has now been revealed that City are at risk of being kicked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup too.
While there is also no certainty that the four-in-a-row Premier League champions would be able to compete in the Champions League and Club World Cup either.
However, SunSport understands that it is unlikely that that the Cityzens would be dumped from all competitions despite the rules allowing for it to happen.
It’s been reported that a one-off points deduction is not seen as “sufficient punishment” for City if they are found guilty of their alleged breaches.
Instead the Premier League’s bigwigs are said to be looking to secure a harsher sanction, such as expulsion from the the league itself.
That punishment could mean that City are then thrown out of other domestic competitions with the laws of the cups allowing for their participation to be taken away from them.
For example, clause 31 of the FA Cup rules states: “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.”
Martin Lipton's expert view
MANCHESTER City’s fate lies in the hands of the independent commission hearing the financial allegations that have hung over the club for the past 18 months.
But while it is theoretically possible that the Etihad club could be banned from any competitions if they are found guilty it is, simply, not going to happen.
Yes, if the commission decides the Prem charges have been proven, any and all punishments are available.
That would include expulsion from the League and relegation into the lower tiers.
But nobody, seriously, in the real world, believes City will be banished from the top four levels of the pyramid and cast into the National League – the only way in which they would be ineligible to play in the Carabao Cup.
And while the FA will ratify any punishment imposed by the Prem, the commission has NO remit that allows it to impose a sanction that applies to any other competition.
As in so many potential scenarios, the word “may” can do an awful lot of heavy lifting.
I, for example, at 57, “may” be a shock signing for Arsenal. It won’t happen. But, theoretically, it “may”. If I suddenly win a few billion and buy the club, for example. Which “may” happen. But won’t.
What is more intriguing – and could cause a difficult series of conversations – is a scenario in which City, having been found guilty – a very big “if” given the club’s vehement and persistent denials of all the allegations – were to win the Champions League this season, after being given a points deduction that ensures relegation.
Under Uefa regulations, the holders of the competition have an AUTOMATIC right to try to retain their trophy.
But all representatives of a country can only play in European competition if their names are proposed by the national federation.
In other words, while people often do not realise it, no club can play in Europe without FA endorsement – normally something that is guaranteed.
It would therefore fall on the FA – after discussions with Uefa – to decide if City’s name should be put forward. Similar issues would arise if they won either this season’s Carabou or FA Cups.
As for the looming Club World Cup, City are already confirmed as participating, by dint of their 2022 Champions League win.
Fifa rules do not give holders automatic entry to competitions, so even if they win in the USA next summer, they would have to qualify through Uefa.
And if they are relegated even to the Championship, meaning at least a two season Uefa absence, they would have to win the Champions League in 2028 to qualify.
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That offers The FA chance to kick them from the competition too, should they want to.
While the EFL Cup would require City to be competing in one of England’s top four divisions to be able to play in the competition.
Should City’s punishment see them knocked down to the National League or further then, of course, they would no longer be able to compete in the Carabao Cup.
As for the Champions League, Uefa require teams to hold a Uefa license to compete in their competitions.
The Telegraph report that it is unclear whether City’s potential expulsion from the Prem could be grounds for withdrawal from the Champions League with Uefa, the FA and the Premier League all having roles in the administration of Uefa licenses.
This summer’s new Fifa Club World Cup doesn’t have any obvious public rules available, casting further doubt on if Pep Guardiola‘s side could compete in the competition following any guilty verdicts.
Man City began their trial to combat their charges this Monday and have denied any wrongdoing throughout the process.
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