Manchester City have been found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, having used sham sponsorship deals to inflate their revenues and cut their costs by more than £900m. City have confirmed they will appeal against the independent commission's verdict. Yet Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports pundit, cut straight to the question of ownership. "It's hard to see how the Man City owners can comply with the owners' and directors' test in this country if the verdict stands," he warned, referring to the Premier League's assessment of whether individuals are fit to own or run a club. City's reputation is in tatters.
Under Premier League regulations, City face the most severe punishments available: a points deduction, a heavy fine or expulsion from the league.
