Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland
ESPN journalist Mark Ogden has revealed that Manchester City’s breaches of Premier League regulations are unlikely to prevent them from winning the title this season, claiming that a verdict on any potential punishment could still be two years away.
News broke last week of City's impropriety, with the north-west club found guilty of making off-the-books payments to managers and players, inflating sponsorship deals and failing to co-operate with the Premier League's investigation. The Citizens are set to appeal the verdict, while the panel consider their potential punishment.
Fans are speculating what the penalty might entail, with many believing that an expulsion from the top flight or a substantial points deduction could be on the cards.
However, with a prospective punishment likely to have significant ramifications, it remains entirely plausible that it's not implemented before the end of this season.
Man City Can Still Win the Premier League This Season
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca smiling
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
After five matches, City lead the Premier League, having claimed maximum points under new manager Enzo Maresca. They sit three points clear of second-place Arsenal, and although the Gunners remain the favourites to protect their crown, City are genuine contenders to win their first title since 2024.
However, news of the verdict on their 115 charges has thrown this season's title race into doubt. Many believe that the relevant authorities will be eager to resolve the situation as soon as possible, which could threaten City's ability to claim the piece of silverware this term, depending on the punishment.
That said, speaking on the Good, the Bad & the Football podcast, journalist Mark Ogden revealed his belief that the ultimate verdict won't be settled before the end of the campaign, and thus, Maresca's team have every chance of winning the league.
"Of course they can, yeah," he replied when asked by Nicky Butt about City's ability to win the title in the midst of the guilty verdict.
"Because they're innocent until proven guilty. Until this process ends, they are still able to. Basically, the time scale is that this started in 2019.
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"That's when the investigation started. The hearing started in 2024. It was a three-month hearing.
If City do end up winning the Premier League this season with their guilty verdict hanging over them, other clubs within the division will no doubt be furious. Several other sides are already considering taking legal action against the Citizens, and this furious reaction from the other 19 may only be exacerbated if Maresca's outfit are successful this term.