Neville sends stern warning to Premier League over Man City appeal - 'Absolute uproar'

Gary Neville has warned the Premier League that a decision needs to be made on Manchester City’s appeal or they will be risking ‘absolute uproar’. City were found guilty of 114 of 115 of the charges that they were accused of.

City have already confirmed that they have lodged an appeal and a fresh hearing is set to be held. But Neville has suggested that a result needs to come back sooner rather than later or City’s Premier League rivals could be left furious should they claim another title.

Speaking on the Overlap Daily, the former Manchester United star said: “It will be very difficult for everybody in football to watch Manchester City win the league this year. Psychologically, it would be a huge problem for the game.

“I don’t think the Premier League can let this run until the end of the season. If Manchester City are lifting the Premier League trophy in May without a verdict being given, there will be absolute uproar. The case must be dealt with by February or March.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

“Due process has to happen, and City believe they will get off the charges, so we will see what happens. But you cannot get to the end of the season and have Manchester City win the title without a verdict.”

No punishment has been dealt out yet, albeit relegation, points deductions and potentially stripping their titles have all been mooted. And Neville believes that the latter is the most obvious route, while he has also suggested that the club’s owners should also be removed as a consequence.

He added: “I think the owners should go, the titles should be stripped for the relevant period, and there should be a multi-year points punishment. The owners and executives are going to struggle to remain in place if the same test that I have to follow as a director and owner is applied consistently.

“I’m not particularly fixated on relegating Manchester City to League One or League Two. I want the club to return to the Premier League. I was speaking to a City fan this morning who said supporters are going to wear retro kits on Sunday to show that they love the club and would go back to where they were if they had to. If that is what they do, good luck to them.

“But I can understand why the Premier League, politicians and regulators are concerned about the impact of removing the owners. For the club, the city and the east side of Manchester, the economic consequences would be enormous. That is the context, even though I have been clear about the punishment I think should happen.”