Key facts
- Manchester City has been found guilty of 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
- Potential punishments include fines, points deductions, relegation, or expulsion from the Premier League.
- Stripping of past titles is considered an unlikely outcome by BBC Sport.
- The English Football League (EFL) is expected to deny Manchester City entry into lower divisions if they are relegated.
- Manchester City denies wrongdoing and intends to appeal any ruling.
Manchester City faces a potential 'doomsday scenario' after being found guilty of 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules, according to reports. The club denies wrongdoing and intends to appeal any sanctions once they are made aware of the punishments.
Potential penalties range from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the league, though stripping of past titles is considered unlikely by BBC Sport's sports editor, Dan Roan. However, an independent panel will make the final decision.
Sources indicate the Premier League is pushing for a record-breaking punishment, potentially involving forced relegation or a points deduction severe enough to effectively relegate the club. The English Football League (EFL) is also expected to align with the Premier League, potentially denying Manchester City entry into the Championship, League One, or League Two, which could see the club drop to the fifth tier of English football.
The charges, which span from the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons, include failures to provide accurate financial information, breaches of UEFA's financial fair play rules, and failure to cooperate with investigations. Leaked documents have previously alleged the club inflated sponsorship revenue and made off-the-books payments.