Former Manchester City Chairman Calls for Club's Expulsion from the Premier League

Manchester City's future appears increasingly uncertain after an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching financial fair play regulations in the English top flight. Amid fierce debate across the country regarding the scale of any potential sanction, former City chairman David Bernstein, who led the club between 1998 and 2003, has launched a scathing attack on the current board.

In an interview with the BBC, Bernstein called for the immediate resignation of the entire board of directors and insisted the team should be expelled from the Premier League if their forthcoming appeal is dismissed. He stressed that, despite loving the club since childhood and being a supporter for 70 years, moral principles must come first.

"This is completely reprehensible and crosses every line of acceptable behaviour. My first thought is: is it right for the leadership to continue in their roles? Shouldn't those involved be removed immediately? The matter is extremely serious and the situation is truly terrible," Bernstein stated.

The former football executive voiced deep concern that the scandal deals a heavy blow to the reputation of the entire league. In his view, the credibility of English football as a whole is at stake, with the findings exposing structural and profound issues that extend well beyond sporting regulations.

Various sanctions are currently being debated in English football circles, ranging from a symbolic fine to a severe points deduction or relegation to the lower divisions. Bernstein, however, is adamant that a purely financial penalty would be an unacceptable compromise.

"The penalties cannot just be financial; they need to be far more drastic. If the appeal fails, Manchester City cannot remain in the Premier League and must face the music. I say all this as a genuine supporter," he added.

A final resolution on the case is expected to take several months, with the Manchester club given until Friday, October 2, to officially lodge their appeal against the ruling.