Marsch calls for Manchester City relegation

Jesse Marsch has called for Manchester City to be relegated from the Premier League, saying the club should face severe punishment over financial-rule breaches found by an independent commission. The former Leeds United manager also claimed that others in football knew about the alleged irregularities. His comments are an attributed opinion, not independent evidence of wider awareness. In an interview, Marsch said City should “have to go down” and asserted that “everyone knew about it.” He recalled that Leeds and City were among the clubs reporting profits in the summer of 2022, and contrasted Leeds’ finances with City’s. Marsch said Leeds had raised money through player sales, including Kalvin Phillips’ move to City, while the club’s ownership did not have deep pockets. Marsch also questioned the reported £52 million fee for Erling Haaland, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. That transfer took place after the 2009-2018 period covered by the commission’s findings. One account noted that Haaland’s contract included a release clause at that price; the material provided does not establish that the transfer was connected to the findings.