Corbyn demands City relegation, title stripping and fine after Premier League guilty verdict

Former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn has called for Manchester City to face a triple punishment — relegation, title stripping and a significant fine — following the club’s guilty verdict on 114 Premier League financial rule breaches spanning 2009 to 2018.

Corbyn, a self-declared Arsenal fan, told The Standard: “This is a seismic judgement which demands seismic consequences. That includes a significant points deduction that results in their inevitable relegation.”

He also argued that any fine should run into the millions of pounds, with the proceeds directed entirely toward grassroots football. On the question of titles, he added: “The league should also seriously consider stripping them of their titles. If their titles weren’t won fairly, why should they keep them? Remember, underneath these breaches are countless trophies and titles that other clubs and fans should have celebrated.”

Corbyn did not stop there, using the moment to make a broader point about the state of the English top flight: “Greed and selfishness in the Premier League is out of control.”

Manchester City, who have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the eight-year process, are expected to appeal the verdict. The club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano reportedly acknowledged the length of the road still ahead while speaking at the European Football Clubs board meeting in Copenhagen, telling executives from rival clubs: “It’s taken eight years to get here, and it’s going to take a lot more time.”

The eventual punishment — which could include points deductions, relegation, title removals or fines — will be determined by a separate panel, with the outcome likely to hinge on the appeal process. Speculation over which, if any, of City’s Premier League titles from the relevant period could be reallocated to other clubs continues to grow across the game.