Jamie Carragher has demanded the Premier League hand Manchester City a severe, multi-year punishment following their shock guilty verdict.
In a news that has dominated the world of football, Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 financial breaches. An explosive Premier League investigation concluded that the club falsely boosted their income by roughly £830m through “sham” commercial agreements between 2009 and 2018.
That allowed City to drastically outspend their rivals during a period of unprecedented domestic success.
However, City have denied the allegations and have already lodged an official appeal against the verdict.
The British newspaper headlines after Manchester City found guilty of breaches of Premier League financial rules on September 26, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
As fans await the result of their appeal, Carragher believes the Premier League must now throw the book at City.
Speaking at the Legends of Football Awards, the former Liverpool defender insisted that a simple one-off sanction would not properly reflect the immense gravity of the club’s actions.
”Now that we know that they’re guilty, yes, there’s an appeal, but now that they’ve got a big guilty verdict initially, now I don’t think anybody wants to wait,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
”It has to be done this season, because Man City need to be affected for next season. I don’t think it can be a one-off punishment for one season. Because this has gone on for years and years, I think the punishment should go on for years and years.”
Images of trophies won are pictured outside the Etihad Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Carragher also warned that any delay in handing down a punishment could completely ruin the integrity of the current campaign.
He argued that City’s ongoing participation in the league casts a dark shadow over the entire competition.
”I know the word at the moment is sham,” he added. “It’ll almost make the Premier League of this season, the title to be won would be a sham, if Man City went on to win that league with what we know has gone on.”
The Premier League is currently holding separate conversations with its own advisors to determine the most suitable punishment.
It’s still unclear what punishment Premier League will decide but given the sheer scale of the financial irregularities, the possible sanctions are almost endless.
