Manchester City’s Premier League rivals are demanding “huge” punishments after the club’s financial breaches verdict, with senior figures warning that even a points deduction would not go far enough.
Relegation, a forced sale and lifetime bans for those responsible are among the measures being urged as anger grows across English football over the scale of the findings.
City deny wrongdoing and intend to appeal.
No sanctions have been confirmed, leaving rival clubs waiting to discover what consequences could follow.
According to The i Paper, executives and officials across the Premier League want penalties reflecting the seriousness of the case, with one declaring: “It needs to be huge. I don’t think a points deduction is enough.”
Another official involved in the league during the period covered by the investigation said “a message needs to be sent – and that starts with relegation”.
The independent commission found City had used “sham” commercial arrangements to disguise funding between 2009 and 2018, with the financial distortions involving around £900million.
Manchester City’s Premier League rivals are demanding “huge” punishments after the club’s financial breaches verdict, with senior figures warning that even a points deduction would not go far enough
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City won three Premier League titles during those years. However, it’s said there is limited enthusiasm within football for removing trophies and awarding them to other clubs.
One official questioned whether such a move would be practical, while acknowledging it could not be ruled out completely.
Instead, some sources expect a substantial points deduction, potentially covering more than one season. Others insist that punishment alone would be inadequate.
Manchester City could face some of the most severe punishments in football
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GETTYA source close to senior figures at a leading Premier League club said: “I think the general consensus is that a points deduction, no matter how big, is not enough.”
The same source raised further possibilities: “Maybe expulsion from the Football League. A five-year transfer ban. Punishments to match the crime.”
Those suggestions remain demands from rivals, rather than penalties announced by the commission.
The pressure comes after Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warned that expulsion from the Premier League could be the “ultimate sanction” if the findings are upheld.
Former City chairman David Bernstein has also argued that punishment cannot be purely financial.
Beyond disciplinary measures, the club could face compensation claims from opponents who believe they lost out during the affected seasons.
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has argued that any punishment can’t purely be financial
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GETTYTottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have prepared for potential legal action once proceedings conclude.
Tottenham’s possible claim could reach £50million, while players and managers may pursue separate cases over missed bonuses.
Some contracts reportedly promised a 25 per cent salary increase for Champions League qualification. Spurs missed out three times during the period under scrutiny.
Other clubs are also considering their options and consulting lawyers, according to the newspaper.
City remain defiant, rejecting the findings and promising to continue their fight.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano has challenged the case as a “Premier League conspiracy theory”.
