EFL stance emerges if Man City are kicked out of Premier League
The EFL are prepared to show 'solidarity' with the Premier League if Manchester City are kicked out of England's top flight, which raises the prospect of an unthinkable 'doomsday' scenario.
It was widely reported on Friday (September 25) that City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League over breaches of its financial rules.
For clarity, no sanctions have been decided and the club are expected to appeal the verdict from the independent commission, meaning the case could rumble on for much longer.
READ MORE:Every new Premier League champion if Man City are stripped of titles
Premier League are pushing for 'ground-breaking' punishment, EFL willing to back them
What we do know is that being found guilty of breaking financial rules could have a significant impact on the club's future.
Rule W.51 in the Premier League handbook outlines that fines, points deductions and even a potential expulsion from England's top fliight are on the table at this stage.
Of course, being removed from the Premier League would mean being demoted to a lower division from the end of the season, but what about the EFL's stance on the matter?
The alleged breaches are related to a nine-year period when Man City won three Premier League titles. Image credit: Getty Images
The alleged breaches are related to a nine-year period when Man City won three Premier League titles. Image credit: Getty Images
If City are kicked out of the Premier League, the EFL are also willing to deny them entry into any of their divisions, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who made the revelation in a recent appearance on talkSPORT.
"My understanding is the Premier League have been pushing for a significant, a record, a ground-breaking, a severe points deduction, and even having Manchester City relegated," Jacobs began.
"I can also exclusively tell you that if Manchester City are kicked out of the Premier League, the EFL plan to read the verdict, and they are willing, in solidarity, to back the Premier League position and try to keep Manchester City out of the EFL as well.
"So there's a danger in a doomsday scenario that Manchester City could be kicked out of football altogether," he added.
Could Manchester City be stripped of their Premier League titles?
Yes, but there is 'little appetite' from within the Premier League for past titles to be stripped, according to a report from the BBC, which states, however, that it 'cannot be ruled out' as the independent panel have yet to hold a sanction hearing.
City lifted the Premier League title in 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18.
READ MORE:What Erling Haaland’s nine-year Man City contract says about relegation after 115 charges verdict
In terms of potential punishments for the breaches, they include fines, points deductions and, as mentioned above, relegation from the Premier League. Here's what punishments the independent commission can impose on a club.
Suspend a club from playing league matches
Points deductions
Recommend to the board that league matches be replayed
Recommend to the board that the league expels the respondent club
Order compensation
Cancel or refuse registration of players
Conditional punishment
Order the club to pay costs
Make such other order as it thinks fit