JUST IN :”City relegated? Lawyer’s bombshell rocks Premier League”

The high-profile sports lawyer who assisted Leicester City in their recent tussle with the Premier League has voiced his opinion that Manchester City should not face relegation by off-field decision-makers.

Nick De Marco KC, known for aiding Newcastle United with their 2021 takeover and helping the Foxes dodge Premier League sanctions this season, argues that points deductions should be considered only as a last resort.

An independent panel supported De Marco’s stance, stating that the Premier League had no grounds to charge Leicester City with financial breaches since they were not members at the time after being relegated to the Championship.

Yet, with Manchester City now up against 130 allegations, the potential penalties are seemingly boundless, with Premier League competitors like Aston Villa and Arsenal keeping a close eye on the situation.

The hearing for City’s case against the Premier League kicked off on Monday, with the authority to enforce fines and points deductions, as well as the power to suggest relegation based on a member vote.

Manchester City, led legally by Lord Pannick KC, remain confident that the proceedings will not escalate to such extremes, refuting all allegations and pledging to vindicate themselves “once and for all”.

Despite benefiting from current laws, De Marco maintains that it isn’t “right” for a club to be ousted from a league for reasons other than their performance on the pitch.

“In my view things as important as promotion and relegation should be determined on the pitch,” the 57 year old told The Times.

“It spoils the game for it to be determined by people like me; lawyers and accountants and ex-lawyers who are arbitrators, hearing legal arguments behind closed doors. I’m going to make my money out of it because that’s my business but I don’t necessarily think it’s right.”

“As a football fan I really do think points deductions should be the very last thing people look at for breaches. Yet it’s becoming a routine starting point, and I do think that spoils a lot of the fun and entertainment of the game.”

“I can still see the argument for points deductions, because they can be the best way to redress a sporting advantage given the obvious flaws with financial penalties.”

“If you are a very wealthy owner, intent on just spending anything in breach of the rules, you’re not going to worry too much about a financial penalty. But I still think point deductions should be a last resort.”