Gary Lineker warns Manchester City could lose titles as appeal looms

Gary Lineker has weighed in on Manchester City’s looming punishment, saying the club could be stripped of its Premier League titles. The Premier League disclosed the independent panel’s findings last Tuesday, finding City guilty of every financial charge, and the appeal is due in January.

Panel verdict and possible sanctions

A separate hearing will decide the exact penalties. The panel can impose a points deduction large enough to relegate City, a hefty fine and a transfer ban. The report, marked View 2 Images, noted the breadth of the offences.

Speaking at a Sport gathering during Leaders Week London 2026 at Stamford Bridge, Lineker said, "It looks really bad for Manchester City." He added that the club’s own narrative should shift from denial to acceptance.

"I’d love to see City now just own it and say, ‘OK, we got it wrong but for the good of the game we’ll accept whatever punishment comes our way and we’ll carry on’," the former England striker told the crowd. Digital Sports Journalist Kieran Horn recorded the comments.

Lineker says City should accept title stripping amid league scandal

Impact on players and club history

Lineker warned that players and fans would bear the brunt of any sanction, recalling his own experience when English clubs were banned from Europe, which cost him a European Cup appearance for Everton. He noted that Manchester City have already overturned a Champions League ban imposed by UEFA and will aim to replicate that success. MAN and CITY must brace for the hearing.

Just over a week has passed since the Premier League announced the findings of the eight‑week hearing that concluded in late 2024. The club were reportedly aware of the verdict over the summer yet still splashed out around £400 million in the transfer market. OUR MAN CITY supporters will watch the upcoming clash at Liverpool this Sunday, with a hostile reception expected.

The appeal’s outcome is expected in January, while the sanction hearing remains pending. Until then, the uncertainty surrounding points deductions, fines or a possible title strip hangs over the club.