Manchester City are poised to confront the Premier League in what is being termed the “sports trial of the century.” The current champions are accused of violating 115 financial regulations, with the possibility of severe consequences if found guilty.
An independent hearing will commence on Monday to address these allegations, and not only City but also other clubs affected by their achievements will be observing closely, hoping for a significant penalty for Pep Guardiola’s side.
This prominent case pits the league against its most successful team of the past decade.
As reported by The Standard, if City are found guilty, they might face expulsion from the Premier League. A decision is anticipated before the season concludes, putting City in a precarious position if they are convicted.
Recently, the Premier League has become more proactive in penalizing financial misconduct, with Everton and Nottingham Forest both receiving point deductions. However, City’s alleged infractions are more severe, and their penalty could be significantly more stringent.
While expulsion could lead to relegation to the Championship, a more probable scenario is a substantial points deduction and a fine.
There are suggestions that City might face a 30-point deduction, which would be the highest ever in Premier League history.
Although it seems improbable that City would be stripped of their titles, the possibility of a substantial points penalty remains.
Despite their dominance with four consecutive league titles and being favorites for another title this season, a guilty verdict could mar their recent achievements.