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While everyone is still digesting the news of UEFA ruling Manchester City in breach of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, the extent of the ramifications is still coming to light. As was previously reported, Manchester City will be banned from all UEFA competitions for two seasons starting in the 2020/20201 season, fined €30M, and could face a points deduction in the Premier League this season.
The Daily Mail is reporting that the Premier League could provide a commission the authority to also retroactively apply point deductions for the time period covered by the investigation. That would cover the seasons between 2012 and 2016, which encompasses the 2013/2014 season where Manchester City pipped Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool side for the title by two points. So, Steven Gerrard, one of the best players in the Premier League to never win a tittle, could end up...ahem...slipping a winners medal over his neck after all.
The 2013/2014 season was an absolutely thrilling seat-of-the-pants ride. Jordan Henderson’s rash red card challenge, ironically against Manchester City, was probably the difference between winning and losing the title. The Reds run during the second half of the season was epic, and certainly was title worthy. The retroactive title, coupled with this season’s likely title, would put Liverpool at 20 first division titles. That would put Liverpool even with Manchester United.
Of course, nothing is certain at this point. Manchester City have already filed for an appeal for the UEFA charges in the Court of Arbitration in Sport. In addition, while UEFA have charged Manchester City, the Premier League have not made any comments about the outcomes of their own, separate, inquiry into the FFP breaches. Even if the Premier League commission does find Manchester City violation of FFP, there is not guarantee they have the guts to apply the retroactive point deductions.
The only thing we do know is that this will be like a slow motion VAR review. And if we know anything about this season, lucky ol’ LiVARpool will be awarded a #taintedtitle that will come with a massive amount of fume. I, for one, am here for the fume.