Over the international break, the discussions around Manchester City and their Premier League charges have dominated the news. Leeds United and other Premier League clubs await the outcome of the sanctions.
City have appealed the verdict, and that would also take a couple of months before a final decision is made.
Reports suggest that Premier League clubs want the issue to be resolved before the end of the season. Other legal experts believe the whole case is far from over, with a long way to go.
It is unclear whether Leeds will pursue compensation like other clubs are preparing to do.
If the guilty verdict remains, Manchester City will face a range of sanctions including fines, point deductions and even relegation.
Jamie Carragher makes Leeds United point in Premier League debate
Leeds United fans at Elland Road. Credit: Imago
The whole issue has sparked a discourse among fans and pundits alike over financial rules and how they have affected Premier League clubs.
Some are in support of what City did in principle; ownership investing money into the team. Others are also against club owners giving their teams money out of their own pocket.
On the Overlap Fan Debate, Ex-Liverpool man Jamie Carragher defended the development of financial rules, stating how it has helped clubs. He used an example mentioning Leeds and their financial issues in 2003.
“You had your own financial issues in 2003, are you glad that there are rules in place to look after and support clubs not to get in those financial positions again,” he quizzed a fan on the show.
The Leeds fan responded by pointing out how the current rules seem to favour the ‘top six’ clubs.
Carragher also pondered if the rules in their current forms can bring about another success story like Leicester City.
“I know everyone goes back to Leicester, but realistically, what are the chances of you seeing Leeds United win the Premier League title?”
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What the current financial regulations mean for clubs
Carragher is right, the implementation of financial regulation in various forms has helped English clubs stay afloat.
Now there are less instances of owners taking over a club and leaving them bankrupt or in debt. This helps teams continue to remain relevant for their fanbase for generations to come.
On the other hand, the rules also seem to favour bigger clubs, not allowing ‘smaller’ clubs to close the gap.
There is a lot of nuance on this topic, which may not be resolved at once. But the 49ers do know how important it is to put money into the club.
