Manchester City may discover the outcome of the independent hearing into their 115 Premier League charges in the coming days.
The club were charged by the Premier League in 2023 with breaking Financial Fair Play rules over a nine-year period. It's alleged that City breached the competition's FFP rules more than 100 times between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
The 115 charges have lingered over the club for two years but the decision of a three-man panel is expected soon, with the panel hearing evidence from both the Premier League and Man City during a 12-week hearing which finished at the end of 2024.
A heavy points deduction, expulsion from the league and having titles stripped are all potential punishments should the charges be proven. The Premier League have previously dished out points deductions, too, which may provide a hint as to the league's intentions.
Everton were handed a 10-point deduction in November 2023 for a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules. This was later reduced to six points following a successful appeal. Then in April last year the Toffees were given an immediate two-point deduction after being found guilty of a separate breach.
"An independent Commission has given an immediate two-point deduction to Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) for the period ending Season 2022/23," a Premier League statement read at the time.
"Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent Commission heard evidence and arguments from the club in respect of a range of potential mitigating factors for its admitted breach of £16.6million, including the impact of its two successive PSR charges. Having done so, the Commission determined the appropriate sanction to be a two-point deduction, taking effect immediately."
Nottingham Forest were handed a four-point punishment for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules in March last year, with the club failing with an appeal to get the ruling overturned. Everton finished the season on 40 points while Forest finished on 32 points, with both clubs staying in the league despite the points deductions. Both clubs were battling relegation all season, though, and one or both could have easily ended up in the Championship.
While City deny the charges against them, the fact two clubs have already been punished in the way of points deductions for breaking Premier League rules speaks volumes. City's charges are more complex and slightly different to the ones brought against Everton and Forest but, regardless, it still shows the league's intent to stamp down on clubs not adhering to the rules.
What the outcome for Man City will be in the coming days remains to be seen. But going on the punishments handed out to Everton and Nottingham Forest in previous years, City may expect a points deduction should the allegations against them be proven.