Man City told what ‘most likely’ punishment is as Man Utd wait for title verdict | Football

A hefty points deduction remains the most likely punishment for Manchester City, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

After a four-year investigation, City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges over breaches of Premier League financial rules.  

The FFP breaches are related to a period between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, when Man City won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups and one Community Shield.

City are expected to lodge an appeal but supporters now face an agonising wait to learn what sanctions will be meted out. A number of punishments are said to be on the table, ranging from huge fines, points deductions, expulsion from the Premier League or the retrospective stripping of titles.

Cases in recent years involving Nottingham Forest and Everton being deducted points set a small precedent with Maguire believing there is a strong chance similar action is taken with City.

‘There is no doubt a points deduction would be the most likely outcome in the view of many,’ Maguire told TalkTV.

‘We have seen points deductions before for Nottingham Forest and Everton for breach of the financial limit rules. So that is feasible. There is a separate issue of whether clubs who have missed out on titles, could they put in for financial compensation for not getting into Europe and loss of prize money.’

Manchester United finished in second place in two of the seasons in the period under investigation, runners up in 2011-12 under Sir Alex Ferguson and again in 2017-18 with Jose Mourinho at the helm.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand is already anticipating ‘another medal to be added to the cabinet’ with his old teammate David de Gea writing on X: ‘So… Let’s talk. How many Premier League titles have I won then?’

Mourinho famously described finishing second behind City in 2018 as one of the biggest accomplishments of his career. ‘Maybe they punish Manchester City with points, we win that league,’ he said in 2024. ‘And then they have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal.’

Liverpool could also benefit were City to be stripped of their titles, finishing second in 2013-14 under Brendan Rodgers.

‘If you take a look at the Premier League handbook, it says the commission’s recommendations are as broad based as you want them to be. Anything from a fine, to a points deduction, to expulsion from the Premier League,’ Maguire added.

‘Also, it could be that the titles won during that period will be taken away, though you can’t retrospectively have the joy that winning a match and title brings from a fans’ perspective.’

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