When Arsenal faced off against Manchester City in the championship last season, a game they ultimately lost to Pep Guardiola’s team, it left their fans feeling frustrated.
They knew that these disputes wouldn’t be settled until the following season, but the 115 alleged rule violations associated with their title rivals had them concerned.
However, Arsenal’s situation has taken a more troubling turn. Everton is under scrutiny from the Premier League for alleged violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. If proven guilty, Everton could face a 12-point deduction, setting a record for a Premier League team.
This development has brought Manchester City and their ongoing issues with the Premier League back into the spotlight. The matter has been under investigation since it was revealed earlier this year.
The relative quiet surrounding this matter is because of the sheer volume of complaints against Manchester City.
The extensive nature of these allegations has resulted in a lengthy process that may take years to conclude, providing some temporary relief to Arsenal supporters.
James Carragher humorously compared the potential punishment for Everton to what Manchester City might face if found guilty, stating on social media, “The PL [Premier League] wants a 12-point deduction for Everton for one charge.” He added that Man City would end up in the National League North if the Premier League gets its way.
The truth is that the Commission is conducting the investigation in secret and under strict confidentiality.
It’s unlikely that any information about the timing of the resolution will become available until the process is completed. This uncertainty about when the situation will be resolved is a source of concern.
It’s reasonable to argue that a potential points deduction for Manchester City, especially one greater than what Everton is currently facing, may not be enough to compensate for the damage done. Like many other clubs over the past decade, Arsenal might argue that they could have won the title if it weren’t for City’s alleged infractions.
In the modern football landscape, if it’s evident that City gained an advantage through the alleged transgressions, a points deduction in addition to potential penalties might be considered a fair punishment. It’s clear that if this advantage were proven, it could have persisted for several seasons.
Even Pep Guardiola believes that reaching a resolution “as soon as possible” is the wisest course of action to put an end to the matter. Arsenal naturally wants to win, but the exact outcome remains unknown at this point.
