Man City gamers may launch authorized problem after 115 expenses verdict and potential punishments

Manchester City could be forced to accept the exit of several star players if the club are relegated with the legal implications clear

Manchester City players may require more than just relegation to have legal grounds to rip up their contracts if the club’s appeal against 114 financial breaches fails.

City are facing a variety of sanctions for their conduct, ranging from a significant fine to possible expulsion. The latter is not quite as straightforward to impose as the EFL are a separate body but City could go down to the Championship by virtue of such a huge points deduction once the process is fully complete.

They could also be faced with legal action from other Premier League sides and even their own players. However, for players under contract to get their deals terminated, it would require more than just relegation for them to have a case, according to Kavan Bakhda, a partner and the head of sports at Mishcon de Reya.

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Via The Sunday Times, he said: “Relegation would not give Manchester City ‘s players an automatic legal right to tear up their contracts and walk away. However, relegation could lead to thorny legal disputes between players and the club.

“If Manchester City were relegated because of serious wrongdoing by the club, players could in theory argue that the club’s conduct amounted to a fundamental breach entitling them to terminate their contracts.

“However, these would be relatively high legal thresholds for players to reach. Relegation alone would not necessarily be enough.”

Despite the guilty verdict, City have protested their innocence since first being charged by the Premier League in February 2023. That stance was reiterated by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in a statement on Saturday as he stated that process has a long way to go.

Part of his comments, published on the club website, read: “I have been part of this club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul.

“This club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again – how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today.

“Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.

“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.”

This is the third charges-related statement released by City in the last three-and-a-half years and in all of them and throughout the process, they have protested their innocence.