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Man City are increasingly likely to get a single-season points deduction of around 40 to 50 points should their appeal against breaking Premier League financial rules fail, sources have told Football Insider.
The Citizens recently appealed the verdict that sent English football into a frenzy after they were found guilty of 114 charges relating to breaching Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
Sources say the Premier League are “very keen” to get the appeal wrapped up months before the 2026-27 campaign ends, but lawyer availability could be the biggest hurdle that prevents it from happening.
Should City's guilty verdict on most of the charges remain, then a separate hearing would determine sanctions and, behind the scenes, work is going on to determine what those would be.
Widespread calls for multiple seasons of points deductions are set to fall flat, as sources at the FA and Premier League suggest the greater likelihood is a points deduction that would give City a chance of staying up this season.
Such a sanction would be similar, in theory, to the punishment that Everton faced when they were deducted 10 points midway through the 2023-24 campaign but given enough time to potentially avoid relegation, which they did.
City are also likely to be hit with an extended transfer ban and an astronomical fine, which would keep them less competitive than usual for several seasons.
The latest on Man City's situation and legal battle against the Premier League
City have continued to deny any wrongdoing despite being found guilty of 114 counts of financial breaches over a nine-year period.
Recent reports have revealed that the Premier League has strengthened its legal team amid the ongoing battle with City, with leading law firm Slaughter and May and prominent barrister Sir James Eadie KC brought in to work alongside Bird & Bird as their case against the Citizens continues.
City's top-flight rivals are concerned that the case will not be settled this season, according to the Telegraph, which would bring huge uncertainty to the end of the campaign as they compete for the league title.
The club are ready to explore every avenue to overturn the verdict, with an appeal hearing date yet to be set while an independent panel is appointed to take in all the evidence.
[Football Insider exclusive as Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has his hand on his mouth, while the Premier League logo features in a circular inset.
Football Insider exclusive as Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has his hand on his mouth, while the Premier League logo features in a circular inset.](https://www.footballinsider247.com/manchester-city/stefan-borson-drops-man-city-punishment-bombshell-that-has-huge-ramifications-for-this-season)
The Italian has been forced to deal with the situation just months into his tenure as their new boss, but has remained certain in his belief that the club will come out unscathed.
Speaking to the media earlier in October, he said: "I joined the club because I completely trust, 100 per cent, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation. I don't have any doubts about that. I spoke with the club for sure. Probably the right moment to speak about that is when we're going to win this appeal.
"We completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I'm not saying we don't understand that. We understand, the players understand, but it's our duty, our job to try to control the noise. The managers and the players are focused on winning games, not about something different."