‘Legal experts’ have revealed a new ‘intriguing development’ concerning Manchester City’s possible ‘expulsion’ from the Premier League.
Man City have been embroiled in a legal battle against the Premier League since they were referred to an independent commission over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules at the start of 2023.
Pep Guardiola‘s side were charged with breaching over 100 FFP rules following a prolonged four-year probe into their alleged conduct between 2009 and 2018.
Very little has emerged in relation to the nature of Man City’s supposed wrongdoing and this process has dragged on longer than most initially anticipated, as the hearing did not conclude until the end of 2024.
Man City have insisted on their innocence throughout this process. In recent months, they have appeared especially confident as they have tied Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland to lucrative new contracts. They also invested heavily in January as they were comfortably the biggest spenders in Europe.
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However, if Man City are found guilty, they could be given a huge fine, points deduction, transfer ban or expulsion from the Premier League.
A fresh detailed report from the i paper has provided insight from ‘legal experts’ into the matter, withit claimed that the initial verdict – subject to an appeal – is expected ‘any day now’ with rival clubs ready for ‘carnage’.
The report also delved into what could happen ‘if the Premier League win’, with Man City risking a ‘severe punishment if the substantial charges are proven’.
It is also explained that this is ‘expected’ to come via a ‘huge points deduction’.
‘Sports lawyers who have spoken to The i Paper believe the three former judges presiding over the hearing will follow the loose precedent of points deductions handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest for financial breaches.
‘If that is case, in this outcome City can expect a huge points deduction.’
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The report has also pointed out a new ‘intriguing development’ regarding Man City’s possible ‘expulsion’.
‘In one intriguing development, it has emerged that should City be found to have committed the most serious breaches, it may be down to the remaining Premier League clubs to decide if they are relegated.
‘It remains unclear whether the Independent Commission has the power to circumvent the Premier League’s rulebook and punish the club with expulsion from the league, or whether they would have to make a recommendation that is put to clubs in a special meeting of shareholders.
‘“The issue of whether Manchester City might be expelled from the Premier League is a complex one,” Aaryaman Banjeri, head of football governance at Lane Clark & Peacock, tells The i Paper.
‘“Rule B6 of the Premier League’s Handbook stipulates that, in order to trigger the expulsion of one of its members, clubs would have to vote as part of a Special Resolution.
‘“This would require 15 clubs to vote in favour of expulsion. It will be instructive to see whether the Independent Commission is held to this requirement, or whether this might be worked around, so that the Commission can itself impose such a sanction.”
‘The fall-out would engulf geo-politics, too. A resounding and humiliating defeat for Abu Dhabi-owned City could strain relations between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates at a time of global uncertainty.’