Man City could call in ‘political favours’ to end 115 charges case – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Man City and the Abu Dhabi government could call in “political favours” to squash their 115 charges case.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted politics is “inextricably linked” with football and could impact any punishment for City.
Man City were charged with 115 breaches of financial rules in February 2023 and the case has been ongoing in London since September.
The Times has recently reported (1 November) that the previous Conservative UK government requested updates on City’s battle with the Premier League in May.
The information received by the newspaper was handed over following a Freedom of Information Request but was heavily redacted to protect diplomatic relations between the UK and the United Arab Emirates.
City have always maintained innocence and claim they have “irrefutable evidence” which will prove it.
Potential punishments on the table if they are found guilty include a huge fine, relegation and even possible expulsion.
Man City will try ‘any political move they can’ in 115 charges fight, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There’s no doubt that if Abu Dhabi stepped in then all these issues would be involved very quickly.
“The Premier League may say they’ve had no contact with the government, but we should be under no illusions that this is a big situation.
“What was interesting in the new football bill from the government is the exclusion of lines around having to take decisions in the interest of Britain’s trade.
“It was interesting that this was dropped. The regulator won’t be tasked with that any longer.
“You’ve always got to wonder: When we’re dealing with sovereign states like Saudi Arabia or the UAE, do political implications get involved with football decisions?
“I’m a big proponent in keeping politics out of football, but it’s inextricably linked.
“I hope there is no leaning in any way at all on the Premier League with the punishments if City are found guilty.
“I think the government would love it if there were no penalties at all.
“But if you’re a government and you own a club like Man City, you’re going to try any sort of political move you can – and that includes calling in any political favours.
“So let’s wait and see how these develops. There are stories aplenty that could come out of this.
“If something doesn’t seem right in the end, it probably won’t be right. We’ll have to keep a close eye on this.”
In other news, 31-year-old could quit City and join title winners.
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