The English club could be demoted down the leagues after being found guilty of breaking 114 Financial Fair Play rules – but how many fans would stand by them?
The Petrofac Training Cup semi-final failed to pull in the crowds at Ibrox
The Petrofac Training Cup semi-final failed to pull in the crowds at Ibrox in November 2015(Image: SNS Group)
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There have been a number of comparisons with Rangers after Manchester City were found guilty of a staggering 114 breaches of English Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules.
The Sky Blues are appealing the verdict but potential sanctions could include a massive fine, a points deduction imposed over one or more seasons or even expulsion from the EPL.
Back in 2012, after Rangers were liquidated following the EBT scandal, the Glasgow outfit were booted out of the Scottish Premiership and demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish football.
With a gloomy gallows humour, supporters dubbed the long climb back through the divisions the 'banter years'. Home attendance held up well, aside from the 2014/15 season when anger at the way the club was being run was at its height.
If something similar were to happen to City, then how many fans would still turn out to the 61,470 capacity Etihad stadium – which has already been nicknamed the 'Emptyhad' due to sparse crowds for some games.
Before they were bought out by the ruling royal family of Abu Dhabi, the Sky Blues endured a torrid time during the late 1990s and early 2000s – tumbling down to the third tier of English football for one season.
Man City 'banter years' average attendance
1996/97, second tier: average - 26,753, max - 30,729, min - 23,079
1997/98, second tier: average - 28,196, max - 32,040, min - 24,058
1998/99, third tier: average - 28,273, max - 32,471, min - 24,291
1999/00, second tier: average - 32,088, max - 33,027, min - 30,057
2000/01, first tier: average - 34,058, max - 34,629, min - 32,053
2001/02, second tier: average - 33,059, max - 34,657, min - 30,238
All played at Maine Road stadium, which had a capacity of 35,150 when it was closed in 2003
Rangers 'banter years' average attendance
2012/13, fourth tier: average - 45,750, max - 50,048, min - 34,441
2013/14, third tier: average - 42,938, max - 48,192, min - 38,745
2014/15, second tier: average - 32,798, max - 43,683, min - 28,053
2015/16, second tier: average - 45,325, max - 50,349, min - 37,182
2016/17, first tier: average - 48,893, max - 50,126, min - 46,563
All played at Ibrox Stadium, which has a current capacity of 51,700