Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Lineker Urges Manchester City to Accept Financial Rules Punishment
Manchester City has been found guilty of breaking some Premier League financial rules.
The charges cover nine seasons, from 2009-10 through 2017-18.
The league said the club used fake commercial deals to make its income look higher and its costs lower.
It said the amounts involved were more than £900 million.
City says it is innocent and has appealed the ruling.
Former England captain Gary Lineker thinks the club should admit fault and accept whatever punishment follows.
He said the club might lose titles, but that players and fans could be hurt too.
The appeal will be held in private, and it is not clear when any punishment might be announced or take effect.
Gary Lineker urged Manchester City to admit wrongdoing and accept any punishment over alleged Premier League financial-rule breaches.
The Premier League found the club guilty of charges covering nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18, and three of four cooperation charges.
The league said City used sham commercial contracts to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than £900 million.
Manchester City has appealed the ruling and maintains its innocence.
Lineker said he would not be surprised if titles were stripped, while noting players and fans could suffer.
- Who
- Gary Lineker and Manchester City; the Premier League is the body that brought the charges.
- What
- Lineker urged City to admit the alleged financial-rule breaches and accept any resulting punishment; City has appealed and says it is innocent.
- When
- Lineker made his comments on Wednesday. The charges cover the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons.
- Where
- Lineker spoke at the Leaders Week sports industry conference at Stamford Bridge.
- Why
- Lineker said admitting fault and accepting a punishment could help draw a line under a damaging saga for the club and English football.
Lineker's view
Manchester City's position
Responsibility for the charges
Lineker's view
Lineker urged City to own up, say it got things wrong, and accept whatever punishment follows.
Manchester City's position
City maintains its innocence and has appealed the ruling.
Possible title stripping
Lineker's view
Lineker said he would not be surprised if City were stripped of titles won during the disputed period.
Manchester City's position
The article reports that City is appealing; it does not give the club's position on title stripping.
- Charged period
- Nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18
- Findings reported
- City was found guilty of all financial-rule breach charges and three of four charges concerning failure to cooperate.
- Alleged financial amount
- More than £900 million in inflated revenue and understated costs, according to the Premier League
- City's position
- The club has appealed the ruling and maintains its innocence.
- Potential consequence raised
- Lineker said he would not be surprised if titles were stripped.
- Appeal process
- The appeal will take place in private.
- Timing of sanctions
- It is unclear whether sanctions will be announced before the appeal or take effect immediately.