Manchester City verdict described as ‘trial of the century’ by world media

Manchester City could face severe consequences after an independent commission found the club had breached all of the Premier League’s financial rules, prompting widespread reaction across the international press.

Possible sanctions include fines, the removal of titles and relegation to lower divisions. German newspaper Bild reviewed how media around the world had responded to what it described as the “Manchester City scandal”.

The Daily Mail said all eight of Manchester City’s Premier League titles should be withdrawn and the club relegated because of alleged falsification that had affected the history of rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

“This has caused irreparable damage to English football, which will never be the same again,” the newspaper added.

The BBC described the scale of the case as unprecedented.

“The size of the problem is completely without precedent, not only in the Premier League and not only in English football, but across all sports,” it said. “That is how significant and serious the situation is.”

The Sun said the case represented more than misconduct and called it an historic reckoning over disgraceful behaviour.

“This is not merely a story of wrongdoing, but a harsh accountability for shameful conduct of historic proportions,” it said. “It is no surprise that other clubs want to see bloodshed – a severe punishment. The penalty must be as harsh as the ruling.”

European reaction

French newspaper Le Parisien said Manchester City should expect the worst following the announcement.

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport described the decision as only one stage in a case that was not yet over, calling it “the trial of the century for English football”.

“ This is a great victory for the Premier League,” it said. “It proves that the league is capable of enforcing its rules and that clubs cannot simply break them.”

Despite the substantial criticism directed at the Premier League during the past 15 years, the newspaper said the competition had emerged from the decision as a stronger institution.

Corriere dello Sport also stressed that the sanctions had not yet been finalised, but said the ruling was nevertheless important.

Manchester City could face a sensitive financial issue through compensation claims from other clubs that believe they have been treated unfairly, the Italian newspaper said.

US coverage

The New York Times said the Premier League’s statement had been more damaging than the commission’s decision for Manchester City.

“Although the decision has harmed Manchester City, the statement issued by the Premier League was more severe,” it said.

The newspaper noted that the club had been found guilty of every charge brought against it except one, from more than 100 allegations. It added that the language used by the commission had seriously damaged the club’s image and, more importantly, that of its owners in Abu Dhabi.

“Points deduction? Expulsion from the Premier League? All possibilities are now open,” The New York Times said.