Manchester City Financial Charges: Ricky Hatton’s Concerns and Why Punishment Could Impact the Premier League
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton shares his thoughts on Manchester City’s 115 financial misconduct charges, while we discuss the potential consequences for the club and the Premier League.
Back in February 2023, Manchester City was hit with 115 charges of financial misconduct, covering a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. If found guilty, City could face severe penalties, including a significant points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, and even the stripping of titles.
Manchester City superfan and former boxing champion Ricky Hatton recently shared his concerns about the charges against the club. Speaking to Prime Casino, Hatton expressed unease over the number of charges facing the club and questioned whether other teams might be influencing the situation.
“You’ve got to be worried about the 115 charges, especially when you see what the Premier League has done with Everton and Nottingham Forest for fewer charges. Are the Premier League picking on City because we’ve been successful? Maybe, but there’s certainly a part of me that thinks some of the other clubs in the league will be making a racket behind the scenes about punishing the club," said Hatton.
He went on to defend the contributions of Manchester City’s ownership to the local area:
“If you look at all of our achievements over the last few years, it’s easy for other clubs to be jealous of that. What I would say about the owners is, they’ve invested millions into the local area and created loads of jobs and opportunities for so many local people. The City campus is like a little sports village with world-class youth and ladies' facilities. There’s a college there. It’s incredible what they’ve put into the area, and that benefits the entire city."
As a boxing fan, I have great respect for Ricky Hatton and also his passion for Manchester City but I have some thought’s on what he’s had to say because I’ve heard this same take from a few city fans recently.
Firstly, whether or not other clubs are “making a racket” behind the scenes is irrelevant. If City haven’t committed any wrongdoing, it wouldn’t matter what the other clubs are saying, the lawyers will be able to defend it with evidence and what any club has to say about it will have no impact. But if they have breached the rules, then other clubs have the right to push for punishment.
After all, if they cheated, Manchester City would have built the platform for its recent success, accumulated huge financial rewards, and grown its global brand on the back of nefarious actions and at the cost of other teams who didn’t win titles but could have if they played fairly. They’d be the first to complain if it were Manchester Utd or Arsenal in their position.
Secondly, while commendable, the investments that City’s owners have made in the broader club and community do not absolve them from potential wrongdoing. This defence feels similar to the arguments Pablo Escobar once used, claiming his contributions to the Medellin community should be considered when being charged for his illegal activities, do you see the flaw in that argument? Community investment should be praised, but it cannot serve as a shield against accusations of financial misconduct (if that’s what has happened).
Let me be clear, I don’t want City to be found guilty. I hope the club are found not guilty and that they haven’t done anything wrong. It would be devastating for the club, their supporters, and even the brand of the Premier League if these allegations proved true. The Premier League's reputation as one of the greatest sports leagues in the world could take a serious hit and that’s not good for any of us football fans, no matter who you support.
If City are cleared of all charges, I hope this can be put to rest, and both the club and the league can move on without the shadow of scandal hanging over them. If they have done wrong then they should be punished accordingly.
I know opposing fans are relishing the thought of their downfall but I don’t think people truly realise how bad that would be for the Premier League.
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Thanks for reading, David Skilling
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