A general view of a billboard in Manchester featuring a Paddy Power advert that reads 'Shamchester' (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
A general view of a billboard in Manchester featuring a Paddy Power advert that reads 'Shamchester' (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway said that Manchester City should be relegated to Non-League after they were found guilty of breaking Premier League rules.
An independent commission from the Premier League found that Manchester City were guilty on all 115 charges against them, relating to “sham” contracts between the club and financial partners to inflate revenue.
The overstated income of £830 million across the period of 2009 to 2018 allowed them to spend vast amounts more than they should have been allowed to.
The punishment has yet to be decided, and Manchester City have exercised their right to appeal the verdict, and maintain their innocence.
In the 2010/11 season, which is covered in this period, Holloway was managing in the Premier League with Blackpool, as they were relegated by one point.
During that season, they lost 1-0 and 3-2 to Manchester City, and it is possible that things would have been different had they not been spending more than they were supposed to.
Holloway revealed that he had been written to by the Premier League over the refereeing decisions in the 3-2 already, with multiple incorrect decisions given to City.
About the charges, the former Blackpool boss called Manchester City “a disgrace” and said that they had “seriously dented football.”
Asked about the issue in his pre-match press conference before Swindon face Crewe Alexandra, Holloway wanted a very strong punishment.
Read more
Swindon bring in sports psychologist who worked under Garner to help players
'All good news' for Swindon on the injury front, with three returning for Crewe
'Leave him in there' - BBC pundit backs Holloway to sort out Town predicament
He said: “It is an absolute disgrace. Does it hurt me? We [Blackpool] might not have been good enough anyway. Lots of things you could look at, but wow, I think now we know that they're like that, something really has to happen.
“And is it a points deduction? For me, get the hell down. Put them in non-league somewhere and make them only use the amount of money.
“They would probably have one player left. Seriously, you can only use that, and you only spend that. Take that all away from them, all the titles, however many, and let them start again and rebuild.
“Let's see if their owners would even bother if they have to do it right, because they've ruined all of it. Completely and utterly ruined this game that they don't truly believe to be in if they're going to do that.
“And that's it. End of. Absolutely no respect for me, for you people. Get the hell out. Why can't we do that? That's what should happen.”