Ex-Man Utd star makes Premier League plea for Man City’s 115 charges as FFP observation made

Gary Neville has urged the Premier League to “bring forward” Manchester City’s case to provide other top-flight clubs clarity.

Financial restrictions have become a hot topic in English football, with Everton and Nottingham Forest receiving charges last week. Both clubs are alleged to have breached the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

The Toffees were docked 10 points earlier in the campaign for their accounts ending up to 2021-22. They have now been charged for the three years ending 2022-23, although Goodison Park chiefs contest the accusation. 

Everton supporters - and fans of other clubs alike - have questioned why Man City’s controversial case is yet to be heard. City are accused of breaching 115 financial regulations over a nine-year period following a lengthy Premier League investigation.

Top-flight CEO Richard Masters confirmed yesterday that a date had been set for the legal battle. Speaking on The Overlap, former Manchester United defender Neville pleaded with the Premier League to avoid dragging the process out further - while also expressing his concern at the current regulations.

"I would like to see an amendment to FFP,” he told The Overlap. “I never agreed with it in the first place, the way that it currently is. It stops clubs, like Newcastle United with wealthy owners, from being able to get up to the top.

"It was brought in by elite clubs, to protect the elite clubs as they are the highest revenue-generating teams. I don’t like it and there needs to be a change to the rules. One of the diversion tactics is that they say that the Premier League are only picking on the small clubs. What about Manchester City? That’s the big elephant in the room, that City’s charges haven’t been brought forward.

"Accepting that it’s a lot more complex, I was uncomfortable that Richard Masters said there has been a date set (for a hearing), but he couldn’t reveal when it was. This told me that, and I might be wrong, we’re not going to like the date, it's maybe going to be in the summer, beyond this season.

"It’s in the interest of Manchester City, and everybody, to bring that case forward, accelerate the process and do it quicker. It can’t go on, and it’s damaging to the Premier League."