Manchester City's breaches of financial rules has massively harmed their reputation and Gary Neville admits other major European sides have suffered from similar offences
Man City's recent verdict has cast a shadow over them and the Premier League
Man City's recent verdict has cast a shadow over them and the Premier League
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Gary Neville admits the "negative way" in which Juventus and Marseille are viewed in light of previous rule breaking could now include Manchester City as a cloud hangs over the Premier League leaders.
Those from the Etihad were recently found guilty of breaching 114 financial rules by an independent commission. City continue to maintain their innocence and have appealed the verdict, but the bad feeling towards them is evident.
They played for the first time on Sunday, securing a statement win over Liverpool at Anfield, but the hostility from the stands was obvious. City's rule breaking, unless their appeal is successful, will result in a punishment, which could yet see them relegated.
Previously European heavyweights like Marseille and Juventus have been involved in major scandals of their own, with Neville suggesting that reputational damage has stayed with them two and three decades later.
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He said on his podcast: "Marseille and Juventus are still to this day thought of in that negative way, and it is a problem for the Premier League right now. That's the first Man City game I've done since the verdict came out, and it does feel different.
"There is a but, there is a shadow, there is a cloud with a load of rain and a massive storm. You just don't know when its going to burst, but you know its coming and its just waiting."
City are the only team in the top flight who still boast a perfect record, recording six wins from six. Their impressive exploits come amid the backdrop of the guilty charges, which span the period from 2009 until 2018. Jamie Carragher concedes the Premier League will be suffering as a result of the scandal, especially with a team they've found guilty of rule breaking sat top of their league.
Juventus' match fixing scandal remains a stain on their reputation
Juventus' match fixing scandal remains a stain on their reputation(Image: Getty Images)
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The ex-Liverpool defender turned pundit said: "Every headline tomorrow will be this is a sham league. This is why its imperative Man City and the Premier League get this sorted ASAP. We can't have this.
He also added: "We should be really proud with what we have in the Premier League. We've got these eyes on us with people asking 'is this real, is this fake?' You know we look at the Italian league, maybe others leagues, and think 'I'm not too sure about that', that's never been the case here."