Man City star’s father claims players have ‘special clause’ in contracts as huge points deduction looms
The father of a Manchester City player has suggested players have a ‘special clause’ written into their contracts that relates to the club being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations.
City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges set against them by the Premier League after a lengthy independent commission hearing, with the news first breaking last Friday (September 25).
On Tuesday (September 29), the Premier League confirmed the verdict via a lengthy statement saying the commission had found City to have arranged “sham contracts” as a way of inflating revenue figures and reducing costs.
Man City stars ‘likely’ have special clause in contracts
If reports of a huge points deduction prove to be true, then several high-profile players such as Erling Haaland and Enzo Fernandez would be unlikely to stay should the club suffer relegation.
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And it appears that some players have a unique clause in their City deals, with Emile Heskey, the former Liverpool striker and father of City youngster Jaden Heskey, telling Casinolyze that squad members will already be contacting their agents over a potential move.
“Let's be honest, this isn't something that's just dropped onto everyone's lap, this is something that's been going on for a while,” he said.
“Every player they've signed would have had that on their mind. Their minds would have been eased through conversations with the hierarchy and the club. Now it's come to a head.
“They likely would have had clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave or address the situation would be my thinking, this hasn’t come out of thin air.”
He added: “I think a points deduction is the bare minimum, a huge points deduction, and then take it from there and see where they end up.
“You're looking at a substantial points deduction where they might struggle to stay up anyway. I don't know what you do after that, it's just a minefield.”
What is the latest update on Man City’s 114 charges guilty verdict?
According to the Premier League, City were found to have arranged disguised funding schemes worth more than £830million with commercial partners.
City deny any wrongdoing and say they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists” to support their position.
The commission also said City were found guilty of all but one charge relating to non-cooperation with its investigation, adding that “a number of important club witnesses gave false evidence in key respects and that some knowingly gave untrue and dishonest evidence”.
The charges related to a nine-year period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 campaigns, a period in which City won three Premier League titles.
City confirmed their decision to lodge an appeal on October 2, with the club releasing the following statement: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter.
“The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
If the decision is upheld after the appeal, City’s potential sanctions include a points deduction, transfer ban, expulsion/relegation from the Premier League and even the stripping of titles.
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Topics: Man City, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies