ONE BILLION fine for Man City?! Ex-player makes clever lower-league money plan - if Pep Guardiola's side get mega punishment in 115 charges FFP battle

Those at the Etihad Stadium maintain that they have done nothing wrong when it comes to a Financial Fair Play case that sees at least 115 charges hanging over the blue half of Manchester. A definitive ruling is yet to be passed following an independent hearing.

A verdict will be delivered at some stage, with various punishments being speculated on. There has been talk of City being stung with points deductions, transfer embargoes or expulsion from the top-flight of English football.

Arguments have been offered against most of those sanctions, but a hefty fine could still be on the cards. Billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour will have no problem paying, and he may be given a chance to benefit those further down the EFL pyramid.

Phelan, speaking in association with William Hill, told GOAL when asked about what happens next for City and their chances of getting off scot-free: “How long is it going to take - 10 years, 15 years? Let’s enjoy them while we can. Let’s enjoy football.

“I know what supporters are like - it happened to Everton, it happened to this club, why is it not happening to Manchester City? It’s not happening for a reason. What is the reason? I don’t know, it’s only the top men that know why it’s not happening.

“Maybe they will get a £100 million fine, 300m, 400m. If they get a billion-pound fine and then distribute it amongst all the other clubs in the lower leagues, I’d be happy with that.”

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Several other teams would be happy with that outcome, with a financial windfall potentially on the cards, but there remains little indication as yet regarding what the final outcome will be in a painfully protracted saga.