Nick De Marco: Man City Should Avoid Relegation Even If Found Guilty of Financial Charges
Renowned sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC, who recently secured a major victory for Benjamin Mendy in an employment tribunal against Manchester City, has shared his views on the ongoing 115 financial charges facing the club. Despite his past success against City, De Marco believes that punishments like relegation or points deductions would undermine the integrity of the game.
De Marco’s Victory for Mendy
De Marco, a prominent figure in sports law, represented Benjamin Mendy earlier this month in a successful £11 million claim for unpaid wages. The former City defender alleged that his £500,000-a-month salary was unfairly suspended after he was charged and remanded for sex offences in 2021. Mendy was later acquitted, and De Marco ensured justice in his employment tribunal against the club.
“Decisions Should Be Made on the Pitch”
When it comes to City’s current Financial Fair Play (FFP) troubles, De Marco’s stance is clear. Speaking to The Times, he emphasized the importance of keeping decisions like promotion and relegation within the realm of football:
“In my view, things as important as promotion and relegation should be determined on the pitch. It spoils the game for it to be determined by people like me—lawyers, accountants, and ex-lawyers—hearing legal arguments behind closed doors.”
De Marco, who practices at Blackstone Chambers, added that while he benefits professionally from such disputes, he doesn’t believe they align with the spirit of the game.
Opposition to Points Deductions
De Marco also opposes points deductions, which have been imposed on clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest for breaches. He argued that such penalties should be an absolute last resort:
“As a football fan, I really do think points deductions should be the very last thing people look at for breaches. Yet it’s becoming a routine starting point, and I do think that spoils a lot of the fun and entertainment of the game.”
While acknowledging the rationale behind points deductions—especially when financial penalties fail to deter wealthy owners from rule-breaking—De Marco remains firm in his belief that they harm the competition.
“If you are a very wealthy owner—intent on just spending anything in breach of the rules—you’re not going to worry too much about a financial penalty. But I still think point deductions should be a last resort.”
The Premier League Charges and Hearing
The Premier League’s charges against Manchester City, brought forward in 2023, focus on alleged financial breaches over several seasons. The private hearing began in September and is expected to conclude in December after nine weeks, although a final verdict isn’t anticipated until the end of the season.
Details from the proceedings remain confidential, but De Marco’s perspective adds a unique voice to the ongoing debate about fair punishments in football. As the case develops, the football world will be watching closely to see how justice is served—both on and off the pitch.
