It is no secret that Manchester City’s hearing in front of an independent panel over 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules has begun this week. The story has been the focus of attention all week. It’s hard not to find a story covering the affair or what the potential punishments for Manchester City could be. But one possibility seems to have been missed during the coverage this week. Manchester City could clear their name. That prospect looms just as large as any potential sanction for the world champions.
Since the hearing began on Monday, Manchester City’s ‘battle’ with the Premier League has dominated the media landscape. There are YouTube shows, talkSPORT segments and articles dedicated to the affair. Given the high-profile nature of the case, that is understandable. But the primary focus of the coverage of the case has been the potential sanctions City may face.
Yesterday, two articles stood out that highlight this. Sami Mokbel reported for the Daily Mail that the agents of Manchester City’s players are planning for the possibility that City could be relegated if found guilty of the 115 charges. Furthermore, Mokbel reports that agents are keen to hear the club’s plans and be informed of the options open to them if the worst-case scenario occurs. That fact in itself has created headlines. So it should, given the profile of the players at Manchester City.
The second article that created major headlines yesterday was by Ben Rumsby for the Telegraph. Rumsby revealed that Manchester City could potentially be expelled from the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup if they are found guilty of the charges they currently face. Once again, that is a real possibility and one that won’t be known for some time.
But the possibility that Manchester City will clear the name barely gets a mention.
Sami Mokbel and Ben Rumsby’s articles do raise valid points. Manchester City could be expelled from all competitions and City’s star players would likely leave if that occurred. That possibility is in play. But so is another. What happens if Manchester City clear their name? That prospect has barely been covered at all. But it is just as real a possibility as City being found guilty of the charges they face.
As covered earlier this week Manchester City’s stance since the charges were announced hasn’t changed. The club believes it will clear its name due to the body of irrefutable evidence it possesses on the matter. The problem is that story isn’t as dramatic as City potentially being relegated, or all of City’s players leaving the club. Those stories create the headlines, and get the focus of attention. But the possibility of City clearing their name is just as likely as the world champions being relegated or facing any other type of sanction at this stage. Manchester City are confident that, ultimately, they will win the case they are currently facing. Based on everything that has come out of City since the charges were announced they have every right to be.
Since Manchester City’s hearing began on Monday in front of an independent panel, the topic has dominated the news cycle. It likely will for the remaining months until a verdict is announced. But what has been lost in the coverage of the affair is that Manchester City could clear their name. That isn’t a fanciful prospect. But it is in play just as much as a mass exodus from the world champions or the club being banished from all forms of football.
Summary
Perhaps what happens to the Premier League if Manchester City do clear their name should also be covered. That is just as interesting a topic as City facing oblivion if they’re found guilty. But that’s a topic for another day but a prospect that is just as likely as City getting relegated at this stage of proceedings.