Manchester City scandal sparks global reaction as possible penalties loom

Manchester City’s financial case has been described as the “trial of the century” by international newspapers after an independent commission found the club had breached all of the Premier League’s financial rules.

The verdict could lead to severe consequences, including fines, the removal of titles and relegation to the lower divisions. German newspaper Bild reviewed how media around the world responded to what it called the “Manchester City scandal”.

The Daily Mail said: “All eight of Manchester City’s Premier League titles should be stripped and the club relegated for falsifying records that affected the history of their rivals, Manchester United and Liverpool.”

It added: “English football has suffered irreparable damage and will never be the same again.”

The BBC described the scale of the case as unprecedented.

“This is a problem of a size never seen before, not only in the Premier League, and not only in English football, but across all sports,” it said. “That is how important and serious the situation is.”

The Sun said the verdict represented more than a misconduct case.

“This is not simply a story of misbehaviour, but a harsh reckoning for disgraceful conduct of historic proportions,” it said. “It is no wonder that other clubs want to see blood a severe punishment. The penalty should be as harsh as the ruling.”

Media reaction across Europe

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

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport described the ruling as only one stage in a case that was not yet over.

“The verdict is merely a step in a story that has not ended,” it said. “It remains the trial of the century for English football.”

The newspaper also called the decision “a great victory for the Premier League”, saying it showed the competition could enforce its regulations and that clubs could not simply break them.

“Despite the major criticism directed at it over the past 15 years, the Premier League emerges stronger as an institution,” it added.

Another Italian newspaper, Corriere dello Sport, stressed that the penalties had not yet been finalised but said the verdict remained significant.

“Manchester City could face a sensitive financial problem: compensation claims from other clubs who believe they were treated unfairly,” it said.

New York Times highlights ownership impact

In the United States, The New York Times said the Premier League’s statement had caused greater damage than the commission’s decision itself.

“Although Manchester City has suffered damage as a result of the commission’s decision, the statement issued by the Premier League was harsher,” it said.

The newspaper noted that the club had been found guilty of every charge except one among more than 100 allegations. It also said the language used by the commission had seriously damaged Manchester City’s image and, more importantly, that of its owners in Abu Dhabi.

“Points deductions? Expulsion from the Premier League? Every possibility is now open,” The New York Times said.