According to reports, Manchester City are looking 'likely' to get a single-season points deduction. This will be one part of their punishment for breaching Premier League rules.
As things stand, the club are in the appeal process, having been found guilty of cheating between 2009 and 2018. If the appeal is unsuccessful, major sanctions are expected to his the Etihad outfit.
There has been talk about titles being stripped, relegation, as well as the club having its owners removed, and more. It appears as though one punishment will see the club docked points.
Key Events Timeline
November 2018 — Der Spiegel published Football Leaks emails alleging City inflated sponsorship income.
February 2023 — Premier League charged City with 115 financial rule breaches after a four-year investigation.
September 2024 — Independent commission hearing into the charges began, concluding in December.
September 2026 — Premier League confirmed City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges.
October 2026 — City lodged their appeal against the commission's guilty verdict.
Early 2027 — Verdict set to be reached on outcome of appeal against guilty charges.
Man City 'Likely' to Get Single-Season Points Deduction
Phil Noble via Reuters
The information comes via Football Insider. It's reported that Man City are 'increasingly likely' to get a single-season points deduction for breaking the rules. The number touted is said to be 'around 40 to 50 points.'
The article also cites sources as saying the Premier League are 'very keen' to get the appeal wrapped up months before the 2026-27 campaign ends. However, lawyer availability could be the biggest hurdle that prevents it from happening.
The appeal process should be sorted within 12 weeks, but it's unclear how long it would take to dish out and implement any potential sanctions from that point. A separate hearing would need to take place to determine the punishments.
The article claims that work is being done behind the scenes to figure out next steps. Despite calls for multiple seasons of points deductions, sources at the FA and Premier League suggest a single deduction is more likely to happen – and it's one that would give City a chance of staying up this season.
City have 21 points from eight Premier League games this term. At that rate, taking 40 to 50 points off their tally would end their title hopes, but not necessarily confirm relegation.
However, the report adds that Enzo Maresca's team 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'.
Stoke's manager Tony Pulis dejected as he walks down steps after losing FA Cup final to Man City
Stoke's manager Tony Pulis dejected as he walks down steps after losing FA Cup final to Man City
Kieran Maguire Discusses 'Ceiling' on Points Deduction Punishment
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has also discussed the idea of a points deduction, referencing the punishments handed out to Everton and Nottingham Forest for also breaking financial rules. The Toffees were given a 10-point deduction in 2024 – that was reduced to six on appeal, with a further two added on later in the season for a further breach – while Forest were separately handed a four-point deduction.
Speaking on GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast, Maguire explained how the situation could play out:
"The redacted report sets out year by year how much the sham contracts contributed to the artificial commercial revenue. Over the rolling three-year period, in some years we could be talking about a £350million difference. That would shatter all records for PSR compliance. Everton and Nottingham Forest's deductions covered a single breach in a single year, an overspend of no more than £20million.
"So is there a ceiling on what can be deducted? And the sanctions hearing could already have taken place. Because City are appealing and everyone has NDAs, we might not know the sanction until the appeal result. But it has to be multiple double figures of points, before you start the calculations.
"I worked out that if you add up nine years of Champions League non-participation for individual clubs at an average of £50million a time, around £20million for the Europa League, plus potential claims from players who missed bonuses, the Premier League's legal fees and a fine, we're talking in excess of a billion pounds regardless of the points deduction."
It will be fascinating to see how it plays out in the coming months.