Senior Figure Suggests Alternative Punishment for Manchester City Ahead of Hearing
The wait is finally over, as Manchester City’s hearing into 115 alleged breaches of financial rules begins on Monday. The club has strongly denied all charges, citing "irrefutable evidence" of their innocence.
If found guilty, there are several potential punishments up for grabs. According to the London Evening Standard, a points deduction or heavy fine would be the most likely outcome, but relegation from the Premier League is not entirely off the table.
However, the Telegraph reports that the Premier League’s commission would not have the power to relegate City to a specific division if they are found guilty. Instead, they would have to apply to join the EFL (English Football League), and the EFL would not be obligated to accept them.
But what if Manchester City is found guilty of the most serious breaches? A senior figure from the league has suggested an alternative punishment, which could make their punishment even more severe.
The idea is for City to have any points deduction applied over multiple seasons, which would impact their ability to challenge for honours in subsequent seasons rather than a straight relegation. This punishment would likely be more severe than a simple relegation, which some clubs believe would not be harsh enough.
According to the Telegraph, this punishment is being considered by some clubs, who believe that City’s actions warrant more severe consequences. The fact that City would have to apply to join the EFL and are not guaranteed acceptance adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation.
The hearing into City’s alleged breaches begins on Monday, and we can expect a lot of speculation and debate in the lead-up to the verdict. Will City be found guilty, and if so, what punishment will they receive? Only time will tell.
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