Ex-City chairman Bernstein warns financial penalties alone not enough if appeal fails

Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has warned that financial penalties alone would be insufficient if the club is ultimately found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, calling instead for something “more drastic” should their anticipated appeal fail.

The comments follow reports on Friday that City had been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League in February 2023 — allegations the club have consistently denied. The charges originate from the 2009-10 season, a period that coincides with one of the most trophy-laden eras in the club’s history.

Bernstein, who served as City chairman between 1998 and 2003, described learning of the verdict as a deeply personal blow. Speaking on Times Radio, he said: “I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday, actually. To see all this tarnished in this way is very sad. I feel particularly bad for the wonderful supporters of the club who’ve stayed with the club through thick and thin.”

On the question of punishment, Bernstein stopped short of specifying a sanction but was clear that money would not be enough. “If they are found, after the appeal, guilty of 115 charges, my beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty,” he said. “All I would say is that money is not sufficient — it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that.”

Bernstein also stressed that the speed of any appeal process is critical, arguing that the case has already dragged on too long. “The appeal process cannot go on for year after year — I think that would be a disaster. Not just for this particular case but for English football generally.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy echoed concerns about the timeline, describing the situation as “unsettling” for supporters and calling for a swift resolution. Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, she said: “I think most football fans will be feeling this is not a good moment for football as a whole, and I think Manchester City fans will be feeling very anxious about what happens next.”