Premier League champions Manchester City could face a points deduction, be expelled from the top-flight of have their titles stripped if FFP charges against them are proven
Manchester City could face a points deduction or be expelled from the Premier League following allegations about FFP breaches.
The Premier League charged its currently champions with breaking the competition’s rules on Monday morning following a long-running investigation. Breaches are alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2018, with the Premier League alleging City breached rules requiring them to give “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
If the charges are proven, there are a range of potential punishments on the table, including some extreme options – as Daily Star Sport will now run through.
Matches suspended
According to rule W51 in the Premier League’s rules, City could initially be suspended from playing matches. Quite how this would work in practice remains unclear, but it is an option open to the division’s rulemakers.
The subsection reads: “Having heard and considered such mitigating factors, the Commission may suspend it [a club] from playing in League Matches or any matches in competitions which form part of the Games Programme or Professional Development Leagues for such period as it thinks fit.”
Points deduction
Perhaps one of the more likelier options involves City receiving a points deduction. Juventus recently received a 15-point deduction following an investigation into the club’s past transfer dealings, which is different to City’s alleged breach.
Although the amount of points that could be docked from the club’s current total is unknown, any deduction would likely have a significant effect on their position in the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves second in the league, hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal. A 15-point deduction would see them drop to ninth, while a heftier removal of points could see them face relegation danger.
A points deduction could also be applied in subsequent seasons, with City almost certain to challenge the commission’s findings via legal routes.
Expulsion
The most dramatic punishment could see City removed from the Premier League altogether. However unlikely, the Premier League has the power to expel teams from the division.
If that were to happen, it is unclear where the current champions would go. They could apply to join the Football League, although that could be difficult with a finite number of teams already within the league structure.
Or they could apply to join the National League setup, a punishment that loomed over QPR in 2014 after they threatened to contest a potential fine for breaching Championship restrictions on spending.
Titles stripped
While rule W51 in the Premier League’s rulebook does not include mention of stripping titles as a potential punishment, it does leave plenty of room for manoeuvre with regard to consequences of rule breaches.
Rule W.51.10 states that the Commission can “make such other order as it sees fit,” presumably including the ability to strip titles from any club who has won them.
City have proven themselves pretty good at winning titles in the last decade or so, accumulating three of them during the period of their alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018. They could now be at risk.
Cash fine
Rule W.51.9 states that the Commission can “order the Respondent [Manchester City] to pay such sum by way of costs as it shall think fit which may include the fees and expenses of members of the Committee.”
What that boils down to is City be could faced with a fine for their alleged misdemeanours if they are proven.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
