Frank Christian
Manchester City could soon face a significant decision on the 115 charges of alleged financial rule violations they are accused of, likely before the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
After numerous delays and legal battles, the Premier League has provided an update on the case, possibly leading to a groundbreaking outcome.
In February 2023, Man City was slapped with charges by the Premier League, spanning nine years, for reportedly breaching financial fair play (FFP) regulations.
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The club staunchly denies any misconduct and is getting ready to contest the allegations as the case progresses.
The Times revealed in August that the hearing date had been advanced to late September with ten weeks of investigations, aiming for a resolution in 2025.
Given the unprecedented number and gravity of the charges against the league champions, speculations abound regarding potential sanctions if they are proven guilty.
Noteworthy is the points deductions meted out to EPL rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest last season for minor infractions, narrowly saving them from relegation.
In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson highlighted the complex nature of the situation and expressed concerns about the lack of transparency.
Conversely, an unnamed current Premier League CEO told The Athletic that a potential massive points deduction could push City into relegation territory, setting a new precedent.
“The prevailing sentiment I’ve encountered suggests that an appropriate penalty would involve such a significant points deduction—somewhere in the range of 70 to 80 points—that City would be looking at a season in the Championship,” the CEO stated.
Possible sanctions include points deductions and hefty fines, with Pep Guardiola likely delaying his contract extension decision until the case concludes.
