Liverpool
Lawyer delivers Premier League relegation ruling for Man City while Aston Villa observes
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Nick De Marco KC, who recently assisted Leicester City in avoiding relegation from the Premier League, believes that clubs should not be demoted due to off-field issues.
The prominent sports lawyer, who helped Leicester in their conflict with the Premier League, asserts that Manchester City should not face relegation as a result of decisions made off the field.
De Marco, recognized for his role in Newcastle United’s 2021 takeover and in helping Leicester evade Premier League sanctions this season, contends that points deductions should be a last resort.
An independent panel supported De Marco’s viewpoint, ruling that the Premier League lacked grounds to charge Leicester City with financial violations since they were not members at the time of their relegation to the Championship.
Currently, Manchester City faces 130 allegations, with potential penalties seemingly limitless, as Premier League rivals like Aston Villa and Arsenal closely monitor the situation.
City’s hearing against the Premier League commenced on Monday, where the authority exists to impose fines and points deductions, and potentially recommend relegation through a member vote.
Led by Lord Pannick KC, Manchester City remains confident that the proceedings will not escalate to such measures, denying all allegations and vowing to clear their name “once and for all.”
Despite the advantages of current regulations, De Marco believes it is not “right” for a club to be removed from a league for reasons unrelated to their on-field performance.
“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.”
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