Manchester City are unlikely to face significant punishment even if they are found guilty of the most serious charges in their legal battle against the Premier League. The trial centred around the alleged 115 financial breaches, that began in late September, is expected to reach its conclusion this week.
Early last year, City were charged by the Premier League for alleged financial irregularities across a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. With closing statements given on Wednesday, proceedings are finally set to reach an end point though an actual verdict is not expected until February at the earliest.
A significant amount has been said about their case since then with a number of clubs to have lost out on Premier League titles during that period watching on intently. The teams now in the battle for domestic silverware are also facing a tense wait with it believed the punishment Man City face if found guilty would be extremely severe.
In the meantime, the reigning champions did secure a minor victory over the Premier League body and its rules on associated party transactions (APT). With City vehemently denying any wrongdoing, Pep Guardiola has seemingly furthered that belief by recently signing a new contract at Etihad Stadium which will keep him at the club until 2027.
Either side of that announcement however, City have been in a very poor run of form. Prior to Wednesday's clash against Nottingham Forest, where Guardiola's side got back to winning ways, they were on a run of seven games without a victory. In that time, City were handily beaten by Liverpool, Sporting CP and Tottenham.
However, it appears the start of a hopeful turn around in form has come alongside a hugely positive legal update. According to the Independent, though some within the Premier League are pushing for Man City to be relegated if found guilty, it is currently viewed as an unlikely possibility.
It has also been noted that such an outcome would necessitate a vote at a shareholders meeting. If that does end up being the scenario that plays out, an actual final outcome coming this season is hard to envision given the fact an appeal from one of the sides would likely be lodged.
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