Why Manchester City Could Deserve to Lose Their Premier League Titles After 115 Charges

Manchester City may have scored every goal, celebrated every victory and lifted every trophy on the pitch, but what if their success was built on a financial advantage their rivals were never allowed to enjoy? 

That is the uncomfortable question at the heart of the club’s 115-charge case, and it explains why calls to strip them of their Premier League titles are gaining attention.

The argument for stripping City’s titles is not that their players cheated during matches. Rather, it concerns how the club allegedly built and maintained the squads that won those matches. Financial regulations exist to prevent clubs from gaining an unfair advantage through spending beyond permitted limits. If a club circumvents those rules, it potentially gains access to players and resources that financially compliant rivals cannot afford.

Consider the difference between Manchester City and a club forced to sell its best player to balance its accounts. While one team may have to weaken its squad to comply with financial regulations, another could potentially retain its stars or recruit expensive replacements if it has misrepresented its finances. Both teams still compete for 90 minutes, but they may not have enjoyed the same opportunities before kick-off.

This is why City’s success cannot be assessed solely by looking at their performances on the pitch. Their recruitment of players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré helped transform them into title contenders. Their talent and Guardiola’s tactical brilliance were essential, but the financial resources available to build such a squad also mattered.

The 2013-14 title race illustrates the issue. Liverpool, inspired by Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard, finished just two points behind City. Liverpool’s players delivered an exceptional campaign, but if City’s alleged financial breaches gave them an advantage in assembling or retaining their squad, it raises questions about whether both teams competed on equal terms. It does not prove Liverpool would have won, but it does challenge the assumption that the final table tells the entire story.

The same principle applies to Everton and Nottingham Forest, who received points deductions for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules in 2023-24. Neither club was accused of fixing matches, yet both suffered sporting consequences. If financial breaches can cost clubs points, it is reasonable to question whether more extensive violations should carry consequences for titles. The cases are not identical, but they demonstrate that financial misconduct can have sporting implications.

Critics of stripping City’s titles argue that the players deserve recognition for their achievements. That is a fair point. However, a trophy is awarded to the club, not exclusively to the players. Holding the club accountable does not mean denying the footballers’ talent or claiming that their goals were illegitimate.

Ultimately, the issue is whether clubs should retain the rewards of success if they are found to have gained an unfair advantage by breaking the rules. A fine might punish City’s finances, but it would leave their historical achievements untouched. Stripping titles, if justified by the findings, would directly address the sporting consequences.

Manchester City’s footballing achievements will remain part of the game’s history. But if the commission’s findings are upheld, the question is whether those achievements should continue to count as official league titles. Winning on the pitch matters, but so does playing by the rules that make the competition fair.

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