Former Liverpool player demands Manchester City be demoted to the FIFTH TIER of English football

An ex-Liverpool striker has called for Manchester City to be relegated to the National League amid their ongoing fight against 115 financial charges. City faces over 100 breaches of competition rules from the Premier League covering the period between 2009-10 and 2022-23.

The charges will be reviewed by an independent commission, which began proceedings on Monday. The accusations include failing to provide “a true and fair view of the club’s financial position,” not including complete details of player and manager remuneration, violating national and continental financial fair play regulations, and failing to “cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations.” These were outlined in a Premier League statement from February 2023.

Stan Collymore’s remarks to Manchester City

Stan Collymore, who joined Liverpool for a then British transfer record of £8.5m in 1995, expressed his views on City’s situation in a recent column for CaughtOffside.

He remarked, “My bar on whether Man City beat the charges against them is set very low because when you are employing best-in-class lawyers, who are finding out every single part of law, that’s an obvious advantage.”

He further elaborated, “It’s the red tape, it’s the ‘you didn’t file this before midday’ or a ‘paragraph that includes a sentence that we consider factually incorrect, so we want the whole document struck out.’” Collymore argued that if found guilty, City should begin in the National League.

Relegation delivers the ‘clearest possible message’

Collymore believes that such a punishment would “send out the strongest possible message” and that other potential penalties, like fines or point deductions, may not have lasting effects.

He stated, “Getting relegated to the Championship and having two or three windows where they’re not allowed to compete in the transfer market isn’t likely to see any of their big names leave.” He warned that if City were to drop a division while still winning titles, other club owners might see it as a “risk worth taking.”

Both parties are now set to present legal arguments in a trial expected to last several months before the independent commission reaches a decision.

More news……

Liverpool set to finalize deal for £50 milliom star

Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s key right-winger for several years, but he is now in the final year of his contract and past his prime.

Consequently, Liverpool risks losing him for free next year. Should they fail to retain him, Arne Slot will need to find a replacement for the Egyptian in 2025.

Tony Cascarino, speaking with a fan on talkSPORT, suggested that Liverpool might look to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as a potential successor to Salah. Cascarino highlighted several reasons why Mbeumo would be a fitting choice. He commented:

“I remember saying to you about if Mo Salah left, Mbeumo would be the one I would have gone after. He’s got so much about him, he’s got goals, he’s got durability. He’s just a nuisance every time he plays.”

Brentford initially sought £50m for Mbeumo, but with his contract nearing its final year next summer, they might reduce their asking price to over £40m if he does not agree to an extension in the upcoming months.

Mbeumo, who turned 25 last month, primarily plays as a right-winger but can also operate as a center-forward. He demonstrated his abilities in the Premier League last season with nine goals and six assists in 22 starts, and he has already netted three goals in four appearances this season. Given that his prime years are ahead of him, he could be a valuable acquisition for Liverpool.