Manchester City may be expelled from several major football competitions, not just the Premier League, if they are found guilty of breaching financial rules, according to The Telegraph. The club, already under intense scrutiny with over 115 charges filed against them by the Premier League, could also face bans from the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League, and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
As City’s case, dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” continues, rival clubs have reportedly voiced that a simple points deduction would not be a sufficient punishment if the majority of the alleged financial offenses are proven. Expulsion from the Premier League has been touted as a severe penalty, but the ramifications may extend further, potentially disrupting City’s participation in all domestic and international competitions.
Under FA Cup rules, the Professional Game Board (PGB), which includes representatives from the Premier League and English Football League (EFL), has the authority to remove clubs from the competition if they are expelled from their league. Similarly, the Carabao Cup rules state that only clubs that are members of the Premier League or EFL are eligible to participate, meaning City’s potential expulsion could disqualify them from the tournament.
The situation becomes more complex when considering the Champions League and Club World Cup. UEFA regulations require clubs to hold a valid UEFA club license to participate in European competitions, but it remains unclear whether a domestic league expulsion would automatically revoke that license. Similarly, FIFA’s rules regarding the expanded Club World Cup, which begins this summer, are not publicly detailed, raising further questions about City’s ability to compete if banned from domestic leagues.
If City were banned from these competitions, it could present scheduling difficulties, as the club would face long gaps between matches. Additionally, the prospect of City winning international titles while being excluded from their domestic league would likely anger rival clubs and fans.
City, who have won the Premier League four times in a row and recently triumphed in the 2023 FA Cup, maintain that they have done nothing wrong. The club has consistently denied the allegations and claims to possess “irrefutable evidence” proving their innocence, expressing confidence that the matter will be resolved in their favor.
