Schmeichel urges Premier League to spare City relegation but demands points deductions, ownership sale and transfer ban

Peter Schmeichel has called on the Premier League to keep Manchester City in the top flight if their appeal against 115 financial rule breach charges fails, but has proposed four severe alternative sanctions including a points deduction running across five seasons.

The former goalkeeper, who played for both City and Manchester United during his career, made his views known after City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield — a result that could yet be rendered meaningless depending on the outcome of the ongoing legal process.

“I think, of course, you keep them in the Premier League,” Schmeichel said. “But for every year they’re in the Premier League, the next five years, they start on -25 points. It’s also staying as a reminder to everybody else that when you cheat in the Premier League, and if you cheat all the other clubs, it’s heavy.”

Beyond the points penalty, Schmeichel argued for a five-year transfer ban, a substantial financial fine, and — most strikingly — a forced sale of the club’s ownership. “I don’t think they’re fit to run this football club and they’re not fit to run a football club in England,” he added. He also called for bans on all individuals found to have been involved, barring them from operating in football.

On the question of stripping titles, Schmeichel was notably relaxed. “Take the titles away or let them keep the titles. I don’t think it matters one way or the other,” he said — a position that put him at odds with fellow former United defender Jaap Stam.

“I think they need to strip them of the titles because they’ve been cheating in getting them,” Stam said. “But I totally agree with Peter in that they need to get punished somehow. I think it’s very important that the Premier League sets an example for everybody else that this is never going to happen again.”

An independent panel found City guilty of all financial charges in late September, but the club have consistently maintained their innocence. An appeal was lodged earlier this month with a decision expected in January, though a separate sanctions hearing is also underway and could deliver a verdict sooner.

On the pitch, second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured the win at Anfield, with the match turning significantly after Ryan Gravenberch received a red card just after the hour mark.