Former scout Bryan King believes the Premier League lacks the nerve to send Manchester City down
Bryan King, who has scouted for Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham, has told Football Insider that automatic relegation to the Championship is the only appropriate punishment if City are found guilty of their 115 charges.
King doesn't expect it to happen, though. His reasoning is blunt: City are too powerful.
“The only way you would teach them a lesson is to put them in the Championship,” King said. “You know, but it's not going to happen, is it? It's not going to happen. And if they fine them a lot of money, so what? They can pay it.”
The Premier League and City are still awaiting a verdict from the hearing that concluded in December 2024, nearly two years after the charges were first announced in 2023. City deny all allegations, which include failures to comply with financial rules, providing inaccurate information and failing to cooperate with investigations.
King pointed to the cases of Everton and Leicester City, both of whom received points deductions in recent years, but argued that City's alleged breaches are far more serious. He dismissed the idea of stripping titles as unrealistic, suggesting points deductions and fines are more likely outcomes — though fines, even eye-watering ones, wouldn't deter a club of City's wealth.
“If they come up with a figure of £500million or something ridiculous, you know, is that going to go against the fair play thing and the money that they used to run the football club?” King said. “You know, the hardest thing would be points deduction and relegation. But it's not going to happen. Manchester City are too powerful in the Premier League. They're too powerful in England.”
King questioned whether the Premier League, the Football League or the FA have the strength to take such drastic action. He doesn't think they do.
The verdict will be a landmark moment regardless of the outcome. If City are found not guilty, the rules used to bring the charges will almost certainly be tightened. If they are found guilty, the punishment will set a crucial precedent for future cases. A fine alone wouldn't serve as a deterrent, leaving the Premier League hoping for something more substantial.
For now, everyone waits.