The expected outcome in the event Manchester City are found guilty after they were hit with more than 100 charges by the Premier League, has been revealed.
City are alleged to breached the rules over a period of nine seasons between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
It came after a four-year investigation from the Premier League, who are accusing their current champions of not providing the accurate financial information when it comes to club revenue, sponsorship revenue and operating costs.
The story, arguably the biggest in the history of the Premier League, has led to a number of reports on what the possible ramifications might be if City are found guilty by an independent commission.
Potential relegation from the Premier League or even expulsion from the Football League on the whole has been mentioned, while some have speculated about the possibility of City being stripped from their three Premier League titles won in the period.
The Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, meaning Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, are said to be demanding the harshest punishment is imposed on City as they don’t deem a fine to have much of an effect.
However, Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol says that most people are expecting City will likely be hit with a “small points deduction” should they be found guilty.
And it’s important to note that any verdict is not likely to come anytime soon. The commission will hear both sides and things will remain private and confidential before the decision is shared on the official Premier League website.
However, given the initial investigation was for four years, the process is set to last a lengthy period and it’s even been claimed that Pep Guardiola could leave City before the result is even awarded and any potential sanctions.
In 2020, City had a two-year suspension from European club competitions overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), after UEFA had ruled that the Blues committed “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play regulations in a four-year period between 2012 and 2016.
Lord Pannick KC of Blackstone Chambers led City to victory on that occasion and has been brought back into the fold for the latest legal battle.
Pannick, whose fees typically range from range from £5000 to £10,000 per hour, also successfully represented City when they appealed against ex-manager Joe Royle’s payout following his 2001 dismissal.
City, who put out a statement saying they welcome the review, are believed to be confident of clearing their name.
SOURCE: sportbible.com
