Arabic version: مدير تنفيذي سابق يحذر من احتمال تصاعد قضية سيتي

According to BBC News, Manchester City’s legal fight with the Premier League could “spiral out of control”, former Liverpool managing director and Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow has said. City have been found guilty of the vast majority of 115 Premier League charges, BBC Sport reported, while the club is expected to appeal.

The allegations concerned claims that City inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and made other “off the books” payments to circumvent football’s financial rules. Sanctions have not yet been announced, but possible repercussions include a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League or a substantial fine.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Purslow said clubs that competed with City during the nine seasons covered by the breaches could argue they suffered financial losses. He cited the value of Premier League places, missed Champions League qualification and relegation as examples, warning that claims across nine years could become extensive. Football law expert Paul Gilroy KC called the case a “seismic moment for world football” and said four clubs had submitted protective claims reserving a right to seek compensation if City are found guilty.

Manchester City declined to comment on whether it had been found guilty. In a statement, the club said the Premier League process remained ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged a swift resolution, saying the situation was unsettling for supporters and should be resolved for the sake of football.

Former City chairman David Bernstein said he felt “absolutely awful” after hearing the news and said that, if the findings were upheld following an appeal, any penalty would need to be more drastic than a fine. City won eight trophies during the period covered by the case, including three Premier League titles.