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Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, FA Cup, Champions League
Luke Davies
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, FA Cup, Champions League
A football finance expert has given his verdict on how many points Manchester City could potentially be deducted if they are found guilty of alleged Premier League rule breaches.
The hearing into City's alleged breaches took place in front of an independent commission between September and December 2024.
The charges mainly relate to a nine-year period, starting in 2009 and ending in 2018, with City accused of various alleged breaches - all of which the club deny.
City were charged with failing to provide accurate information, failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments, breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), failing to comply with UEFA regulations including financial fair play (FFP) and failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations.
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The Premier League champions were initially accused of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules. However, it has been reported by The Times that the real number may be as high as 130 due to confusion over the Premier League's breakdown of the charges.
While the hearing has now concluded, it has not been confirmed when a verdict will be reached or made public. However, if City are found guilty - the commission has 'unlimited powers' which include enforcing a potential points deduction or relegation, according to BBC Sport.
City were initially "surprised" by the allegations and claim they are supported by a "body of irrefutable evidence".
"Manchester City 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," read a club statement released in February 2023.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said the verdict could be reached in “one month” when speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s 2-1 win in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Leyton Orient on Saturday, 8 February.
"In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence," said Guardiola.
"After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far."
Now, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has given his take on the charges and the potential punishment for City, if they are found guilty.
"The number 115 has now become part of folklore, which is rather bizarre because A: there are 130 charges," said Maguire when speaking on Tear Us Apart.
"And B: actually there's only three.
"If guilty, the punishment is likely to be far harsher [than what Everton and Nottingham Forest got]."
Of course, last season Everton were twice deducted points. First they were hit with a ten-point deduction in November 2023, after being found to have breached the Premier League's financial rule. This was later reduced to six points on appeal. Everton were then been deducted two points for a second breach of Premier League financial rules, in April 2024.
As for Forest, they were docked four points in March 2024, which was upheld after the club saw an appeal rejected by an appeal board.
"So, it has to be a points deduction – if found guilty," he added. "For non-cooperation, a fine would probably be appropriate… I think we are looking at a points deduction… somewhere in the region of 60 to 100 points."