Journalist calls for Manchester City to be kicked out of the Premier League in bold claim

Journalist calls for Manchester City to be kicked out of the Premier League in bold claim David Lynch Calls for Manchester City Expulsion After Reported 114 Charge Verdict Manchester City’s long-running financial case has reached a potentially defining moment for the Premier League, and David Lynch believes the consequences should be severe. Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch discussed reports that Manchester City had been found guilty on virtually all of the charges brought against them by the Premier League. At the time of recording, the official verdict had not been released, something both contributors made clear, but reports suggested City had been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges. For Lynch, the scale of the reported decision changes the entire conversation. “An absolute bombshell,” he said. “The initial award has gone against them and not just kind of slightly gone against them, it’s gone against them heavily and it’s a long way back for them from here.” Lynch Demands Harsh Manchester City Punishment Much of the discussion centred on what should happen if the reported verdict survives Manchester City’s expected appeal. Lynch’s position was emphatic. “I think expulsion from the Premier League,” he told Davis. “I think expulsion, I think I would love for the EFL to say that they wouldn’t accept them as well.” He went even further when considering the ownership of Manchester City and the potential consequences of the findings. “I would love for their ownership to be called into question and, you know, whether they should pass the owners and directors test given the industrial level scale of the cheating here.” Lynch stressed that his view was driven by what he believes the case has done to English football, rather than simply Liverpool missing out on trophies. “I think that all punishments, the harshest possible punishments, including expulsion down to non-league, owners forced to depart the game because they have no interest in being part of it in a healthy way at all.” Liverpool Titles Leave Hollow Feeling Liverpool inevitably featured prominently in the discussion. Manchester City and Liverpool fought several extraordinary Premier League title races during Jürgen Klopp’s time at Anfield, and Lynch admitted the reported findings left him with “a bit of a hollow feeling”. He said: “You can’t give that back to Liverpool fans, United fans, Arsenal fans.” On the possibility of historical Premier League titles being stripped and potentially reassigned, Lynch was clear about his preference. “I think they should probably be stripped. But I don’t think they should be re-awarded because no one will take joy in that.” Photo: IMAGO Davis also raised reports that Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham had previously reserved the right to seek compensation if Manchester City were found guilty of serious charges. Lynch believes Liverpool could have a substantial argument. “Liverpool could argue title winning prize money, title winning bonuses from sponsorship contracts, et cetera, et cetera, on and on and on. And, you know, I’m sure they will put together a really strong case around that.” Premier League Faces Huge Manchester City Question The uncertainty also creates an immediate sporting problem. Liverpool face Manchester City at Anfield after the international break, while the ultimate status of City’s season remains unresolved. Lynch asked: “If City win that game and they put themselves in a position for the title, what does that mean? Are they really going to win the title or are they not?” He believes the ramifications could stretch far beyond a points deduction or relegation. “The ramification is going to be felt for years and years, really.” Lynch also expects the atmosphere when Manchester City visit Liverpool to reflect the anger surrounding the case. “I think Anfield’s going to respond to this in the right way. I think it’s going to be angry, a real cauldron really.” For the Premier League, Liverpool and Manchester City, the appeal process now carries enormous significance. Lynch’s conclusion was stark. He described City as being “in real trouble” and believes the reported verdict has opened questions that could reshape both the club and the competition around it. As he put it, “It’s a complete mess, really. A complete mess.”