Despite the severity of the allegations, which include failure to provide accurate financial information and lack of cooperation, there is a growing belief that City's influence makes them untouchable. King suggests that while the footballing public may crave a landmark punishment, the institutions in charge may blink when faced with the prospect of demoting a global powerhouse.
"You know, the hardest thing would be points deduction and relegation. But it's not going to happen. Manchester City are too powerful in the Premier League. They're too powerful in England. Everybody would love to see it happen. But are the Premier League and the Football League or the FA, are they strong enough to do it? I don't think so, to be honest," King added.