Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has argued that the club should face a punishment spanning seven seasons if found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
Speaking to GB News, Mills said a one-season sanction would not adequately reflect the length and seriousness of the allegations against City. He suggested that any penalty should correspond to the period covered by the most serious charges.
Manchester City have faced more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League rules and have challenged the verdict in the case. The potential consequences have remained a major talking point in English football, with questions surrounding what form a proportionate punishment could take.
Mills believes the scale of any sanction should reflect the allegations rather than be limited to a short-term sporting penalty.
Mills Questions Whether Championship Relegation Would Be Fair
Mills also raised concerns about the impact Manchester City’s possible relegation to the Championship could have on clubs already competing in the second tier.
He argued that City would retain a substantial advantage over most Championship teams because of the quality and depth of their playing squad.
Even if several first-team players left, Mills believes the club would still have enough strength across its senior squad, under-21 team and players returning from loan spells to compete comfortably for promotion.
He questioned whether relegating City for a single season would effectively deprive another Championship club of an opportunity to move up to the Premier League.
Mills also challenged the argument that hosting Manchester City would automatically deliver significant financial benefits to second-tier clubs. He said one match would not necessarily generate substantial additional revenue, while the league’s television arrangements would not be transformed simply because City spent a season in the division.
Former Defender Says One-Season Sanction Would Not Be Enough
Mills maintained that the punishment should be severe and linked to the period covered by the alleged financial misconduct.
He referred to seven of the most serious charges, which he said related to a seven-season period, and argued that the sanction should reflect that timeframe.
In his view, a penalty lasting only one season would have limited long-term significance compared with the scale of the case.
Mills described his proposed approach as a fair but harsh response, although his comments represent his personal opinion rather than an official recommendation from the Premier League or an independent ruling on the appropriate sanction.
The final outcome and any punishment remain matters for the relevant football authorities and legal processes.
Mills Expects Hostile Reception for Manchester City at Anfield
Beyond the financial case, Mills predicted that Manchester City could face a hostile atmosphere when they visit Liverpool at Anfield.
He suggested that home supporters might use banners, flags, chants and songs to make their feelings about the controversy known during Sunday’s match.
Mills said he would have welcomed the challenge as a player, describing highly charged matches as occasions footballers often enjoy.
He also anticipated that Liverpool supporters would find creative ways to express their views, adding another dimension to a fixture already attracting attention because of the dispute surrounding City.
City Could Use Criticism as Motivation, Mills Says
Mills believes the hostile reception could also provide Manchester City with an opportunity to adopt a siege mentality.
He suggested that manager Enzo Maresca could use the prospect of widespread opposition as motivation, encouraging the players to respond on the pitch rather than allow the atmosphere to affect their performance.
According to Mills, the idea that almost every supporter outside the City fanbase wants them to lose could become a rallying point for the squad.
However, he questioned whether rival managers would find it easy to use the financial allegations as a motivational tool against City. Players might not respond positively to a team talk centred on accusations rather than the immediate demands of the match.
Mills suggested Liverpool would probably approach the encounter as a normal competitive fixture, while City could interpret the surrounding criticism as a reason to prove their opponents wrong.
Mills’ Manchester City Connection Dates Back to 2004
Mills played for Manchester City between 2004 and 2009 after joining the club from Leeds United on a free transfer in July 2004.
During his time at City, he made 51 league appearances and scored once. He also spent periods on loan at Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Derby County before leaving the club in 2009.
His comments come as the financial case continues to generate debate over the possible sporting consequences for Manchester City and the wider implications for English football.
While Mills has called for a punishment covering seven seasons, the eventual consequences will depend on the outcome of the proceedings and the decisions made by the relevant authorities.
