Arsenal and Liverpool expect points deduction could ‘disrupt’ season; Citizens warned of ‘risk’ of appeal

Arsenal, Liverpool and other title contenders hope a points deduction could “hinder” Man City this season, according to former Citizens defender Richard Dunne.

Pep Guardiola recently revealed that he is happy with the audience City of Man‘s 115 charges for alleged violation of FFP rules starts soon and hopes for a quick conclusion for the good of all.

The champions continue their quest for an unprecedented fifth successive crown under a cloud, having won two titles since the Premier League allegations they vehemently deny were made in February 2023.

An independent commission is expected to rule on the charges at some point this season, with recent reports saying the hearing could begin as early as mid-September.

When asked by Goal if ‘point penalties could already be the biggest ally’ for Man City’s rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and others, Dunne said: “I think most teams, as they do every season, will struggle to keep up with Man City.

“The quality they have in the squad – when you think players like Rodri and Foden haven’t played much this season, they’re not at their peak, so there’s still a lot to come and a lot more.

“Every year we know that Man City are going to be the leaders and the team you have to beat to try and win the league. I’m sure everyone is waiting for something to come along and derail them.

“At the moment, in terms of what they’re doing on the pitch, they look like a really strong force. I’m sure people doubted whether they had the motivation to go for five in a row, but they certainly look like they do.”

Meanwhile, former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson has warned of the potential risks if the Citizens decide to appeal any potential punishments if they are found guilty by the independent commission.

Borson said Football Insider: “The fact that the Leicester case was decided the way it was has very little bearing on City.

“I think the biggest thing the city will probably be thinking about and being cautious about is just the real difference in quality between the individuals selected for an independent commission versus those on the appeals board.

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“The appeals board had two former Court of Appeal judges and another lawyer hearing the case, while the original independent commission was not as experienced, and the panel was not of high quality.

“You wouldn’t expect the lower court to be on the same level as the appeal. But it does give the City a potential risk because many of the decisions that are made by that initial independent commission are unlikely to be able to be challenged on appeal.

“If it was against City, a lot of the things that are considered fact by that initial independent commission, City will be stuck with. The same goes for the other side of the Premier League.

“The appeal is more likely to focus on points of law, misunderstandings, gaps in judgment or outright errors.

“I wouldn’t read too much into the Leicester case in terms of City. I think the cases are different enough to distinguish between them.”