**Gary Lineker has urged Manchester City to accept the findings against them and “own it”, warning the ongoing saga is damaging both the club and the wider game.**
Lineker said he would prefer to see City draw a line under the case rather than allow it to continue through further legal challenges, with the club having been found guilty by the Premier League of serious breaches of the financial rules.
[City have already confirmed they will appeal the decision](https://hayters.com/manchester-city-confirm-they-have-lodged-appeal-against-guilty-verdict/) and continue to deny any wrongdoing.
“Well, it would be great if it didn’t drag on,” the former England striker said.
“And I think, obviously, it looks really bad for Manchester City. It really does. And bad for the game.
“You know, when they talk about the Premier League conspiracy theories, you just think to yourself, well, this is actually the last thing in the world that the Premier League would want.
“So, I’d love to see Man City now just own it and just say, okay, we got it wrong.
“But for the good of the game, you know, we’ll accept it. We’ll accept whatever punishment comes our way and we’ll carry on.
“I think that would be a blessing. And save their face a little bit at the moment.”
Lineker acknowledged that such an outcome appears unlikely, but said the situation is already having a damaging effect.
“It is damaging,” he added.
“It’s damaging for, clearly, Manchester City. I feel for their fans and I feel for their players.
“Particularly, you know, I’ve worked with one that won a league title. So, it would be very worrying for them.
“And ultimately, it’s always the fans that suffer from these things, which is sad.”
Asked about the prospect of a severe punishment, Lineker said he would not be surprised if the process moved in that direction.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes down that route,” he said.
“But again, ultimately, who suffers from that? The players and the fans.
“I think it’s going to be one of those punishments and it has to be, obviously, severe because the offences are, like, a lot of them.
“So, it’s going to be difficult and everyone will have a different idea on what this should be.”
Lineker also drew on his own career, recalling how English clubs being banned from European competition had directly affected him as a player.
“I remember when English clubs were banned from Europe, it cost me playing in the European Cup,” he said.
“So, again, players will suffer for this.”