Troy Deeney’s take on Man City’s punishment is stirring up a lot of debate after they were found guilty.
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney thinks Manchester City shouldn’t be relegated from the Premier League, even if they lose their appeal after being found guilty of breaking financial rules. His opinion has sparked quite a bit of debate.
City announced on Friday they would appeal after an independent commission found them guilty of serious financial breaches. The club says they are innocent and claims to have “irrefutable” proof to back their case.
If City lose their appeal, possible punishments include point deductions, fines, transfer bans, or even being kicked out of the Premier League. But Deeney, whose Watford lost 6-0 to City in the 2019 FA Cup final, believes expulsion is going too far.
In his column for The Sun, Deeney says sending City down could hurt the Premier League’s competitiveness. He compares it to Serie A’s decline after Juventus was relegated in 2006 for match-fixing.
He explains, “If City get relegated, many of their players would leave, probably going abroad since the club wouldn’t want to sell to English rivals. That would help other leagues like La Liga or the Bundesliga get stronger and maybe even overtake the Premier League. Just imagine losing a star like Erling Haaland to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
“Serie A once had legends like Ronaldo, Zidane, and Maradona, but now it’s not on the same level. Juventus now plays players like Lloyd Kelly, who, with respect, shouldn’t be at such a big club after his time at Bournemouth and Newcastle.”
Instead of relegation, Deeney suggests a tough long-term punishment that keeps City in the Premier League. He proposes a 30-point deduction for five seasons, a three-year transfer ban, and a huge fine. This would slow the club’s progress and stop them from challenging for titles for a while.
He also adds, “We don’t need to rewrite history. No one should ask for City’s titles to be given to second place.
“I was on the losing side in the 2019 FA Cup final. City earned that win fair and square. Even if there were shady dealings behind the scenes, the players won on the pitch—that’s what sport is about.”
While Deeney’s point about Serie A’s drop might be partly true, many say other factors have also affected that league. And some fans don’t agree with his defense of City.
One fan commented, “You’re comparing a huge club like Juventus to a club that wasn’t that important before. There’s a big difference.”
Another wrote, “This is a weak argument. What’s the point of rules if the punishment doesn’t match the crime?”
And a third said, “I don’t think City are the reason for the Premier League’s success.”