Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has called for the club to face a punishment spanning seven seasons over its financial breaches, arguing that a one-season sanction would not adequately reflect the seriousness of the case.
Mills made the recommendation amid growing debate over the potential consequences of Manchester City’s financial case, which has become one of the most significant disciplinary matters in Premier League history.
The former defender believes any punishment should reflect the period covered by the most serious breaches rather than being limited to a single campaign.
Manchester City were found guilty by an independent commission of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations relating to the period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. The club has indicated that it will appeal against the findings.
Mills argued that relegating City to the Championship for only one season could create difficulties for other clubs competing in the second tier because of the quality and depth of the Manchester club’s squad.
According to the former defender, City’s first-team players, reserves, under-21 talents and footballers out on loan could give them a considerable advantage over other Championship sides.
He suggested that even if several senior players departed, City would retain sufficient quality to dominate the division, potentially taking away a promotion opportunity from another club.
Mills also questioned whether Championship clubs would benefit financially as much as some might expect from having Manchester City in the competition.
He argued that hosting City for a single match would not necessarily generate substantial additional revenue or significantly alter the league’s broadcasting arrangements.
The former defender therefore believes the punishment should be designed to reflect the scale and duration of the alleged financial misconduct.
Speaking about the proposed sanction, Mills said: “So I think the punishment has to be fair, harsh, and I would say probably over the course of seven seasons.”
He further argued that the most serious breaches covered a seven-season period and that the eventual sanction should take that timeframe into account.
Mills maintained that a punishment limited to one season would be insufficient, insisting that a more extensive sanction would better reflect the seriousness of the findings.
His comments have added another perspective to the debate over the consequences Manchester City could face following the independent commission’s decision.
The case has attracted considerable attention because of the number of charges, the period under investigation and the potential implications for the club’s domestic standing and historical achievements.
However, Mills’ proposal remains his personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an official recommendation from the Premier League or the independent commission responsible for the proceedings.
The commission found that Manchester City had breached financial reporting requirements, including rules concerning commercial revenue and expenditure, during the period under investigation. It also upheld the majority of the allegations concerning the club’s failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The club has disputed the allegations and is pursuing an appeal, meaning the legal and regulatory process remains an important part of the developing story.
Mills also discussed the atmosphere Manchester City could encounter when they face Liverpool at Anfield, predicting that supporters might express their frustration through chants, banners and flags.
He suggested that such a hostile reception could motivate City’s players to respond positively on the pitch, with the team potentially using the atmosphere as an incentive to produce a strong performance.
The former defender described the fixture as the kind of occasion players could find motivating, particularly given the attention surrounding the club.
Mills played for Manchester City between 2004 and 2009 after joining from Leeds United. He made 51 league appearances for the club and scored once before leaving after loan spells at Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Derby County.
His experience at the club has added weight to his contribution to the public discussion, although the final outcome of Manchester City’s financial case will depend on the relevant legal and regulatory processes rather than the views of former players.
For now, Mills’ call for a seven-year punishment highlights the continuing debate over how football authorities should respond to serious financial rule breaches and how any sanction should account for their duration and impact.
As Manchester City prepare to challenge the findings, attention will remain focused on the appeal process and the eventual consequences for one of English football’s most successful clubs.
