Expulsion from the Premier League would be a genuine possibility if the 115 charges against Manchester City are proven.
City strongly refute all the charges raised against them, regarding alleged financial impropriety and other issues from 2009 onwards. A hearing for the case is understood to begin on September 16, and then a resolution should be reached before the end of the current season.
All the charges stem from documents leaked via German newspaper Der Spiegel in 2009. The Premier League have been investigating City since 2018, with legal industry insiders predicting an undisclosed settlement as the outcome.
But Premier League chiefs have started to bare new teeth under the shadow of the new independent football regulator, punishing both Everton and Nottingham Forest with points deductions for financial breaches this season. That more aggressive action sets new a precedent for levels of punishment and consensus among legal experts is that, if employing that scale, City would face a severe punishment if found guilty.
Having to join the non-League pyramid would not be out of the question
The doomsday scenario of being booted out of the Premier League and having to join the non-League pyramid would not be out of the question. Expulsion from the top flight would leave City seeking a new league in the English structure, at which point they could be welcomed straight into the Championship, should EFL members vote them in.
A more likely punishment is a significant points deduction and fine, in the event that the Premier League were able to prove a cross section of the charges.
Premier League chiefs will want to impose a punishment to act as a deterrent to other clubs should they be able to make any charges stick to City. Several sources have suggested a points deduction in the region of 30. The likelihood of Premier League bosses dishing out any retrospective punishments as regards removing titles and trophies is understood to appear remote.
City’s detractors have put an asterisk on their record fourth consecutive title. City’s owners and directors are adamant there has been no wrongdoing whatsoever and are determined to defend themselves with all their financial might.
There are some suggestions that City’s lawyers have been tasked with contesting even the tiniest points, to slow the wheels of justice, though City would simply characterise their approach as the bullish defence of the innocent.
“Considerable uncertainty remains on the current status of the Premier League proceedings against Manchester City,” said solicitor Dan Chapman, head of employment and sports at Leathes Prior.
Nothing should be ruled out in this quite extraordinary case
“It would appear that these charges are far more serious, if they are proven, than the charges which Everton and Nottingham Forest recently admitted. Those clubs were charged with a breach of spending rules that they admitted.
“This case is entirely different, 115 charges which relate, it would appear, to serious impropriety which Manchester City robustly deny. The number and complexity of the charges will present huge challenges to all involved and it is not unlikely that the hearing could be delayed in full or in part.
“The independent commission that will hear the case will have almost limitless powers, and sanctions could range from fines to points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League. Manchester City will of course be aiming to be cleared of all charges, and nothing should be ruled out in this quite extraordinary case.”