'This Is Brave' - Keith Wyness taken aback by 'big' Man City move in face of 115 charges

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Man City moving to increase the Etihad Stadium’s capacity is “brave” in the face of potential 115 charges punishment.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the expansion is just another sign that City will “plead their innocence” until the end.

Man City revealed the configuration of their new-look North Stand last week (26 September), which will take their stadium’s capacity to over 60,000.

The English champions said the expansion will be open to fans for the 2025-26 campaign.

City’s move comes amid a fight with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules, with a secret hearing starting in London last month.

Speaking to Football Insider (25 September), Wyness has previously said that relegation is “likely” if they are found guilty by an independent commission.

Man City expansion is ‘brave’ move amid potential relegation, says Wyness

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Man City have been brave throughout the 115 charges situation.

“They’ve looked everyone in the eye, maintained their innocence – and only time will tell us what comes out of the hearing.

“It’s a big sign, to increase the Etihad’s capacity to that level.

“But they’ve got to do it to stay competitive in the Premier League.

“If they do get a punishment and they are out of the league for a season or two, that’s about the time it will take to finish this construction.

“They will plead their innocence to the last day and this is just another part of that.

“Attendances and ticket prices have been a big question at City, but that could just be because they have so many high-level games continually.

“But they’ll be able to pick up the tourism factor as well and fill those seats – they’ll have no problems with a 60,000-seat stadium.”

In other news, Man City hit by January transfer blow, says insider.

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