Points deduction? Relegation? Transfer ban? How will Man City be punished for financial scandal?

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 17 Nov 2023 14:02 GMT
• 4 min read

The Premier League has charged Manchester City with over 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations, in what’s been described as an ‘unprecedented' probe.

A four-year investigation has concluded with the Premier League announcing that the club had breached regulations over a period of nine seasons - and if found guilty, the side may find themselves with some hefty reprisals.

The Premier League wrote in a statement: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission.”

Indeed, now an independent commission will meet to analyse the evidence put forth by the Premier League and decide on the appropriate punishment for Man City.

How will Man City be punished for financial scandal?

Man City could be punished by various means, including a points deduction, transfer bans, spending limits, relegation, and even expulsion from the Premier League, along with stripping of previous titles.

An independent commission will consider the charges brought by the league. If they find Man City guilty, they are clear to apply any punishment they consider appropriate.

Will Man City be deducted points?

In short: it's possible. Man City could face a possible points deduction, just as Juventus have endured this season. Given the levity and vastness of the accusations, it’s probable that it would be a significant amount of points if the commission opts to use this punishment.

Will Man City be relegated?

There is nothing stopping the independent commission to relegate Man City to the Championship. They have not been in the second division of English football since 2001 but it is just one of a number of punishments and it would represent one of the harsher options at the commission’s disposal.

Will Man City receive a transfer ban?

Man City could get served a transfer ban for the alleged rule-breaking if found guilty. It’s a punishment that’s been used quite recently. FIFA who handed Chelsea a ban for two windows in February 2019 after the club was found guilty of breaching rules about signing minors.

Premier League teams who have been deducted points

Man City would not be the first Premier League side to be deducted points. In the 2009/10 season, Portsmouth were deducted nine points after entering administration, while Middlesbrough had three points deducted for the unauthorised postponing of a match back in 1996/97.

Arsenal and Manchester United also had a points deduction in recent years, though theirs came just before the Premier League’s inception, back in 1990 when their contest ended in a mass brawl.

Man City's response to allegations

Man City released a statement following the news, saying that they were ‘surprised’ by the allegations levelled at them. It read: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”