Lawyer Nick De Marco (Image: Instagram)
A top sports lawyer who recently beat Man City suggests the club’s 115 financial rule breach charges should result in on-pitch punishment, not court action.
Nick De Marco, a sport lawyer has been vocal about his stance on the ongoing financial charges against Manchester City. The club faces 115 charges related to breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, with a verdict expected at the end of the season.
De Marco, who recently represented ex-City defender Benjamin Mendy in a successful claim for unpaid wages, has expressed his opinion that relegation should not be considered as a potential punishment for City, even if they are found guilty. “In my view, things as important as promotion and relegation should be determined on the pitch,” De Marco told The Times. “It spoils the game for it to be determined by people like me; lawyers, accountants, and ex-lawyers, who are arbitrators, hearing legal arguments behind closed doors.”
De Marco also dismissed the idea of a points deduction, a penalty previously imposed on clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest. He emphasized that such measures should be a last resort. “As a football fan, I really do think points deductions should be the very last thing people look at for breaches,” he added. “Yet it’s becoming a routine starting point and I do think that spoils a lot of the fun and entertainment of the game.”
The Premier League brought charges against City in 2023, and the private hearing commenced in September 2024. The hearing is anticipated to conclude in early December, with a verdict expected at the end of the season. The potential punishments facing City, if found guilty, could be astronomical, including relegation, points deductions, and fines.
De Marco’s perspective highlights the broader debate about how financial misconduct should be addressed in football. While some argue that severe penalties are necessary to maintain fairness and integrity, others believe that such decisions should be left to the footballing authorities on the pitch.
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