What the Manchester City verdict could mean for Palermo
PALERMO, ITALY - MAY 11: Fans of Palermo show his support during the Serie B match between US Citta di Palermo and AS Cittadella at Stadio Renzo Barbera on May 11, 2019 in Palermo, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images for Lega B)
Manchester City’s legal battle with the Premier League is being watched closely in Sicily, where Palermo are owned by City Football Group.
According to the Premier League, an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of its financial rules over nine seasons, along with most of the charges of failing to cooperate. City are appealing, and no sanctions have been set yet.
On the pitch, the ruling has no direct bearing on Palermo. The case concerns City alone under English rules, while the Rosanero are a separate club in a separate federation, currently top of Serie B with 13 points from five games under Filippo Inzaghi.
How Manchester City sanctions could hit Palermo’s plans
Palermo rely heavily on CFG, which owns nearly 95 per cent of the club. The group guaranteed a budget at least as big as last year’s for this season’s promotion push. It is also funding more than half of the €300m-plus redevelopment of the Renzo Barbera, which is central to the city’s bid to host Euro 2032, and has agreed to cover a €30m shortfall in public money.
A heavy fine, a points deduction or relegation for City, along with possible damages claims from rivals such as Manchester United, could force the group to rethink its spending across its network.
For now nothing has changed in Italy. The group has deep pockets thanks to its Abu Dhabi backing, but the size of City’s eventual punishment will matter well beyond Manchester.
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