For the sixth time in seven seasons, a team facing 115 accusations for alleged financial rule violations has won the English title.
Manchester City has won the Premier League once more, despite 115 reported financial rule violations. Even though just a few weeks prior Pep Guardiola had warned us that the most valuable team in world football was in “big trouble,” state-sponsored City went on to win their sixth title in the previous seven years.
Moreover, it’s their fourth straight. That has never been accomplished before, not even during the inception of football in 1992. Thus, it’s an incredible accomplishment that is well worth
Perfectly packaged product
The Premier League’s popularity is a marketing marvel. The product is well packed and has been sold to every country in the world.
Not only did Rupert Murdoch’s Sky play a crucial part in raising the standard of game coverage and increasing club revenue, but the authorities also benefited greatly by virtually eliminating the ‘English illness’. Stadiums were made off-limits to known hooligans.
The tragedy of Hillsborough also taught us important lessons, making it quite evident that matchday management of the grounds and facilities needed to alter. The ultimate effect is contemporary, family-friendly stadiums that are consistently filled to capacity, creating an environment that
Superior ferocity
In that sense, the play’s approach is also helpful. English football is a fast-paced, intensely competitive sport. Football fans from all around the world are drawn to the Premier League because of its purportedly higher intensity, and every excellent match is hailed as a “great advert for the Premier League.”
It has consistently drawn the largest TV audiences, despite not necessarily having the world’s finest players. The latest foreign rights auction brought in £5.05 billion, a sum that is anticipated to increase upon renewal. The next domestic rights contract (2025–26 to 2029–30) is valued at £6.7 billion.
The funds raised should guarantee that, for years to come, mid-table Premier League teams will be able to spend significantly more on transfers than elite continental teams.
PR catastrophe
The Premier League would never officially acknowledge it, but City’s most recent championship victory is a disgrace to the company.
English football fans derided supporters of the other four “Big Five” leagues in Europe for years, calling them “Farmer’s Leagues” with no drama or substance at all. In France, Paris Saint-Germain was always the winner (and they still are, to be honest), Bayern was untouchable in the Bundesliga, Juventus ruled Serie A, and the Liga trophy could only ever be won by Barcelona or Real Madrid. In England, however, there were four distinct champions between 2013 and 2017.
However, only Liverpool has since succeeded in finishing ahead of City, and even then, that achievement required a season that began with a record-breaking start. City have raised the bar so high that not even 97 points guarantees top spot.
City and all other parties
It goes without saying that one can draw attention to the fact that some championship races, such as the one this season, have been close enough to go to the very end. However, is it really that significant if the same side consistently wins? Alternatively, if it’s clear who will win the championship before the season even starts. Nobody doubted who would win the league, not even with three teams (Liverpool, City, and Arsenal) in the running for the championship.
While Arsenal gained a well-earned and compliant draw at the Etihad, Liverpool should have defeated City at Anfield, and neither pretender was able to seize the crown. It was almost inevitable that Jurgen Klopp’s rejuvenated Reds would run out of steam, and injuries eventually took their toll.
Scrambling out of Europe
Since City wasn’t even playing at their most best this season, let’s face it. Erling Haaland only scored 27 goals in the league because Kevin De Bruyne missed half of the season due to injury. It does not speak good of the purported competition that they won the league despite not losing since December. Neither does the English teams’ incredibly awful showing in Europe this season.
Although it is evident that City could and should have defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, Mikel Arteta’s team suffered greatly from Arsenal’s feeble last-eight collapse at the hands of the poorest Bayern Munich team in Europe for over ten years. However, at least they survived
The delusion of Premier League
Because of the purportedly higher level of excitement, quality, and competition in England’s top flight, many Premier League supporters have denigrated other leagues for a long time. It is, however, a fabrication, a product of popular opinion, and just PR.
Does each of the other Big Five leagues have problems? Without a doubt. The argument in favor of establishing a Super League by so many elite continental clubs is not without merit. In terms of business and earnings, they are aware that they cannot compete with the Premier League.
Not a single European league, however, has seen two teams lose ground this season as its champions await the resolution of a legal dispute centered around allegations so serious that it could declare the previous 15 years of completely pointless play. It seems sense that many fans would want to simply avoid thinking about it because it’s a horrific idea that is nearly too terrifying to even try to understand.
Naturally, City claims that they have done nothing illegal. They assert that they have a substantial amount of unquestionable proof of their innocence. However, it might take an extra year to get a decision. While this is going on, the Premier League and its allies will continue to work to persuade consumers that this is a brand worth supporting, a product worth purchasing, and a competitive competition.
It’s an enviable challenge, made the more so by City’s most recent championship victory. In fact, Richard Masters visited the Emirates on Sunday night instead of the Etihad.
Not even the CEO of the Premier League desired to partake in the inescapable City festivities. How long before the supporters decide they have had enough of this alleged competition?
