Premier League executive reveals the HUGE points deduction figure Man City will face if their finance rule break sanctions match the league’s ‘collective view’
- Man City were charged with 115 breaches of FFP rules in February 2023
- Premier League officials believe they could face a huge points deduction
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There is a growing consensus among Premier League executives that the outcome of Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play hearing will result in a points deduction so severe that it would see the club relegated from England’s top division.
The perennial champions are defending 115 separate alleged breaches of financial regulations, with the 10-week hearing set to begin next month earlier this week.
City have been accused of financial irregularities spanning nine years from 2009 and the most severe punishment if found guilty is relegation. Points deductions and fines are also possible punishments.
However, Manchester City deny any wrongdoing, although they will not comment. They are confident they can retain their Premier League status now that an independent investigation is underway.
However, one Premier League executive is more pessimistic, arguing that the consensus within the league points to a possible points deduction of 70-80 points, enough to secure City’s relegation.
There is a growing consensus among Premier League executives that the outcome of City’s hearing will result in a points deduction so severe that the club would be relegated
The perennial champions are defending 115 separate alleged breaches of financial rules, with it revealed earlier this week that the 10-week hearing will begin next month.
City has launched a separate legal action against the Premier League over financial rules
According to The Timessaid one Premier League club official: ‘The general view I’ve heard is that an appropriate sanction would be such a substantial points deduction – we’re talking about 70 to 80 points here – that it guarantees City a season in the Championship.’
The case, which has rocked the football world over the past year, could have far-reaching implications for both the Manchester club and the future of English football.
The charges relate to a series of allegations of financial misconduct over a period of several years. The allegations include inflating sponsorship revenue and concealing the true source of funding, breaching the league’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and failing to provide accurate financial information.
The city has long denied any wrongdoing, has always followed the rules, and has been confident throughout the investigation that it will successfully defend its case.
There is even speculation that, depending on the severity of the offences, the club could be expelled from the Premier League, but that remains to be seen
The high-stakes hearing will be held before an independent inquiry appointed by the Premier League. If found guilty, the potential sanctions could be devastating for the reigning English champions, with punishments ranging from hefty fines to an unprecedented points deduction that could see the club relegated from the top flight for the first time since 2002.
There is even speculation that, depending on the severity of the offences, the club could be expelled from the Premier League, although that remains to be seen.
City, under manager Pep Guardiola, refused to comment publicly on the events, choosing instead to focus on their performance on the pitch as they begin their title defence against Chelsea on Sunday.
The case against City follows a lengthy period of scrutiny, dating back to when UEFA first investigated the club for similar breaches of FFP rules.
The team was under investigation between 2019 and 2023, resulting in the 2022–23 treble winner being banned from UEFA competitions for two seasons and also fined £26.8 million.
Although City successfully overturned a two-year European ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020, the Premier League investigation remains a major concern at the Etihad Stadium.
As the legal teams at both the Premier League and Manchester City prepare for what promises to be a contentious and closely watched hearing, the outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for the way financial rules are enforced in English football in the future.
The football world now waits to see whether one of its most successful clubs emerges unscathed or whether it is left behind in a historic decision that could completely change the landscape of the Premier League.