Manchester City have been rocked after being found guilty of 114 charges levelled at them by the Premier League
A view of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, home to Manchester City
It remains to be seen how Manchester City, who are set to appeal, will be punished(Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)
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A points deduction is Manchester City's most likely penalty, according to a leading football finance expert. City have been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges laid by the Premier League in February 2023, charges the club have always strenuously denied.
The charges date back to the 2009-10 season, since which time City have won multiple major trophies. City are set to appeal against the verdict, which has sent shockwaves through the club and its fanbase.
The punishment is yet to be determined, but options available include a heavy points deduction and even expulsion from the Premier League. Football finance lecturer and co-host of the Price of Football podcast, Kieran Maguire, reckons a points penalty is the most likely outcome.
He told TalkTV: "There is no doubt a points deduction would be the most likely outcome in the view of many. We have seen them before for Nottingham Forest and Everton for breaches of the financial limit rules. So that is feasible."
In 2023, Everton were docked 10 points - reduced to six on appeal - for breaching Profit & Sustainability Rules. The Toffees were deducted two more points for a similar offence in April 2024.
Also in 2024, Forest were docked four points for falling foul of PSR. The club were found to have breached their permitted £61 million threshold of losses by £34.5m. Maguire added: "If you take a look at the Premier League handbook, it says the recommendations are as broad-based as you want them to be. Anything from a fine to a points deduction, to expulsion from the league.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca may have to deal with a hefty points deduction(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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"Also, it could be that the titles won during that period will be taken away, though you can't retrospectively have the joy that winning a match and title brings from a fan's perspective."
Meanwhile, former City chairman David Bernstein believes "money is not sufficient" as a potential punishment for the club. Bernstein, who was City chairman between 1998 and 2003, wants to see that process dealt with swiftly.
He told Times Radio: "I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday, actually. I think you've asked me on the programme because of my time as chair of City and the FA, but basically, I'm a fan of Manchester City and have been a fan for 70 years.
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has had his say on the ongoing wait for an outcome into the 115 charges case.
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has had his say on the ongoing wait for an outcome into the 115 charges case(Image: Julian Finney - The FA via Getty Images)
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"It's really awful that this great period of success, which followed many years of being less successful, when I was chair, I think I helped get the club out of a very difficult period and started the road to better things.
"But to see all this tarnished in this way is very sad, I feel particularly bad for the wonderful supporters of the club who’ve stayed with the club through thick and thin. It’s a pretty bad day I think for the fans in blue of Manchester."