Man City ex‑Boss demands forced relegation after Premier League financial ruling

The former club chairman David Bernstein reacted in disbelief when the Premier League sentenced Manchester City for breaches of financial rules between 2009/10 and 2017/18 and called for a forced relegation. Bernstein, a 70‑year‑old fan of the club, said in an interview with the BBC that the club could no longer leave the league if the appeal fails.

Judgment and financial allegations

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of entering into “sham contracts” with business partners to conceal financing of more than £830 million (approximately €969 million). The club has until Friday to lodge an appeal against the judgment.

Reactions from politicians and ex‑pros

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane also expressed outrage and called the action fraud, while Sports Minister Lisa Nandy described the matter as “extremely serious” and called the Premier League’s report “shocking”. Club chief executive Ferran Soriano dismissed the judgment as a “conspiracy theory”.

Premier League commission finds Manchester City inflated revenues

Bernstein emphasized that the credibility of the Premier League is at stake and that the sanctions must have both financial and sporting impact. He pointed out that the league had found false documents and a particular pattern of behaviour over several years, which he described as “almost unbelievable”.

The club, owned since 2008 by Sheikh Mansour from Abu Dhabi, continues to assert its innocence and anticipates severe sanctions that could range from a massive points deduction to exclusion from the Premier League.

Manchester City faces sanctions for 114 Premier League violations