Premier League executives were discussing on Sunday whether the league should immediately suspend Manchester City from the competition, but that option is viewed as almost impossible.
If Manchester City had turned the Premier League into an embarrassment over the international break, the return of club football only made things worse.
With City’s fans singing in the stands that they “cheat when they want”, and repeated suggestions that their team being good at football should somehow mitigate the fact that they got here thanks to over 100 charges of financial rule-breaking, the situation is becoming a farce.
So it should be no surprise that Miguel Delaney is reporting for the Independent that Premier League executives were messaging each other on Sunday over whether 15 clubs should push to vote to suspend City immediately.
According to Delaney, one executive argued that the current farce “will lead to protest, damage to the integrity and reputation of the competition, and possibly even violence”.
Yet the possibility of an immediate suspension is viewed as having virtually no chance of happening, despite it technically being possible per the rules. The fear would be that City would take that suspension to the High Court and be reinstated.
The Independent Commission ruling on City’s case can decide to suspend or expel the club, and there’s reportedly an increasing feeling they might feel compelled for sanctions of that severity. But for now, it looks like the circus is set to go on.
The Premier League will at least get a bit of a break in midweek, as the focus returns to the Champions League. City will be in action against kindred spirits Paris Saint-Germain, whilst Arsenal will host Lille OSC.
But until City are sanctioned and the whole process finally comes to an end, there’s only ever going to be temporary relief from the current scrutiny.
- Premier League executives discuss suspending Manchester CityPremier League executives were discussing on Sunday whether the league should immediately suspend Manchester City from the competition, but that option is viewed as almost impossible.
- Mourinho makes unprompted remark about Arteta & ArsenalJose Mourinho has made a bizarre dig at Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, suggesting the manager’s new contract shouldn’t happen at Real Madrid.
- 2nd Arsenal player also picked up injury in post-Leeds warm-downMartin Zubimendi picked up a knock in Arsenal’s warm-down following Saturday’s match against Leeds United, according to a report.
- Mikel Arteta admits to selection dilemmaMikel Arteta has admitted that Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard gave him a selection problem over the weekend, having both played so well over the international break.
- Arsenal 25yo reflects on 1st Emirates appearance for 7 monthsJurrien Timber has admitted he’s happy to be back playing at the Emirates Stadium after a seven-month absence, and he’s already looking forward to the next game.