How Manchester City’s Scandal Could Shake the Card Market

Manchester City ruling could ripple into the soccer card market

Manchester City could be facing some of the biggest penalties in soccer history after the Premier League found the club guilty of breaching financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. The case centers on allegations that City artificially inflated revenue and reduced costs by £900 million, or about $1.2 billion, through contracts that did not reflect the club’s true agreements.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the ruling established the facts of what happened at Manchester City during that period. He added that the decision showed the club systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade and vindicated the league’s choice to pursue the case.

Manchester City has maintained its innocence since the probe began in December 2018. The club can appeal, but if it ultimately loses, the possible punishment could include relegation, exclusion from European competition, and significant fines.

For collectors, that uncertainty could have a direct impact on the soccer card market, especially for Manchester City stars and future releases tied to the club.

For more collecting context, read League Licenses vs. Player Association Rights: Why Both Matter on a Trading Card.

Why Manchester City cards could become harder to find

If Manchester City were relegated or hit with severe point deductions, the hobby fallout could be immediate. Cards of players such as Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku could become harder to chase in the most prominent products if the club were no longer part of the Premier League.

An exit from the Premier League would remove City from all Topps releases for the following year. If the club remained outside the top flight for multiple seasons, that absence would only grow. For collectors who focus on current Premier League teams, that would mean fewer new Manchester City cards entering the market.

A relegation to the EFL Championship would not eliminate all card options, but it would change the landscape. Panini releases a couple of EFL trading card products each season, though those releases do not carry the same market profile as the major Topps Premier League sets. A Manchester City presence in the Championship could alter interest, but the source notes that a major boost is not likely.

Related coverage includes Manchester City Case Could Reshape the Soccer Card Market for Haaland, Doku and Future Releases.

If City stays in the Premier League but loses enough points to miss out on European competition, the impact could still be significant. Manchester City has reached the Champions League every season since 2011-12, making it a regular fixture in major products such as Topps Chrome UCC. Without those European appearances, collectors would have fewer opportunities to buy cards of City players in the biggest club competition releases.

Erling Haaland and other stars could feel the effect

Manchester City has become one of the most important clubs in modern soccer card collecting because of the star power on its roster. Erling Haaland is the clearest example. His most expensive Manchester City card sold for $115,900 earlier this year, according to Card Ladder.

That kind of market strength depends in part on visibility, performance, and the steady flow of new releases. If City were removed from top-tier competitions or pushed out of Premier League products, collectors would have fewer chances to add new Haaland cards tied to the club.

The same concern applies to other City players whose card markets have benefited from the club’s success and regular presence in major sets. A reduced schedule of releases would not only limit supply, but could also affect how collectors value existing cards if the club’s profile changes dramatically.

For player collectors, the issue is not just scarcity. It is also about context. Cards tied to a club that is no longer in the Premier League or Champions League can lose some of the momentum that comes from constant exposure in the sport’s biggest stages.

Relegation could trap players on a collecting island

Another possible hobby consequence is that some Manchester City players could remain with the club even if it were relegated. Most players do not have relegation clauses in their contracts, which makes sense given City’s recent success and trophy haul over the past decade.

If that happens, collectors focused on individual players could find themselves waiting longer for new cards from major releases. That would be especially relevant for Haaland, whose market has already reached elite levels and depends on a steady stream of fresh product.

The same uncertainty would extend to younger players and prospects. A club in turmoil can slow the momentum of a player market, even when the talent remains strong.

Cavan Sullivan’s hobby outlook could also be affected

The situation could also matter for Cavan Sullivan, the 17-year-old American prospect who is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18. Sullivan is already one of the most closely watched young names in the hobby, and his market has been moving quickly.

If he follows through on his plan to join City despite the club’s current turmoil, the scandal could temporarily cool interest in his cards. A relegation or expulsion from European competition would limit the first available cards he has with Manchester City, which could affect how collectors approach his early club-issued releases.

Sullivan’s MLS debut patch sold for a record $324,000 last month, underscoring how strong his market already is. Any delay in his first Manchester City cards would create a gap between his rising profile and the cards collectors can actually buy.

There is also another layer to watch. Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly inquired about Sullivan’s services because of the Manchester City situation. If that interest turns into something more, it could provide an immediate lift to his hobby market by keeping him connected to two of the sport’s most recognizable clubs.

What collectors should watch next

The most important factor now is the outcome of City’s appeal process. The club has denied wrongdoing, but the ruling has already raised questions that go well beyond the pitch. Any final punishment could reshape not only the team’s competitive future, but also the flow of cards tied to its players.

For the hobby, the biggest variables are straightforward:

• Whether Manchester City remains in the Premier League
• Whether the club is allowed into European competitions
• How many current players stay with the team if penalties are imposed
• How future Topps and Panini releases handle the club if its status changes

Collectors who focus on Manchester City, Erling Haaland, or emerging names such as Cavan Sullivan may be watching the legal process as closely as the next checklist announcement. The ruling has already created uncertainty, and that uncertainty could shape the soccer card market for months or even years depending on how the case ends.