Man City told 'most likely' punishment to expect if found guilty in 115-charge FFP case

Manchester City are confident of being exonerated as they strenuously deny all charges. City were first charged back in February 2023 of 115 financial charges and it wasn't until September last year that the case was heard.

With an outcome said to be imminent, the club and their fans are hoping that they are proven innocent in any wrongdoing.

The charges include:

• 'Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18'
• 'Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 - present [February 2023]'
• 'Failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18'
• 'Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations from 2015/16 to and including 2017/18'
• 'Failure to comply with UEFA's regulations, including UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations' 

However, even with a verdict said to be forthcoming, it's likely City would appeal the verdict if they are found guilty and that could delay proceedings, as football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley explains. Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, he said: "It is tricky to tell on timeframe linked to appeal as it could keep going on and on.

"It depends on what the verdict is and then what either side would do next, etc., but both parties have the right to appeal, and we have certainly already heard noises from City in the past that they would look to appeal and tie the PL up in litigation.

"These things are never straightforward, and you are dealing with power and egos too in the middle of this, which cannot be ignored."

"It was always likely to be a lengthy process given the amount of charges and the time frame it relates to. Lawyers on both sides need to pore over the detail, and then there is the independent commission hearing and the verdict itself.

"There will then be a further delay until we see the decision and any detail in the public domain, which is again normal in the course of how these things run. It is a very costly exercise on both sides, though that is for sure."

Plumley predicts that City will face a points deduction would be the most likely punishment if found guilty, but didn't rule out more extreme measure, adding: "If City were to be found guilty, then all of those things would potentially be on the table as sanctions, and the PL could push for any or a combination of. It is really difficult to predict what any outcome could be, as there is no precedent.

"We will always be in the realms of speculation until we know, but if I were to speculate, I would suggest that a points deduction and fine would be most likely, with relegation and title stripping being the extreme, but unlikely, scenarios."

While off-field matters may dominate the headlines, City return to action following the international break with the welcome of Everton on Saturday afternoon. The Cityzens are unbeaten in four in the league ahead of their meeting with the Toffees, winning three times in that run following the 1-0 victory at Brentford last weekend.

Pep Guardiola's side are currently three points off table toppers Arsenal, who are looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they face Fulham on Saturday evening. City are keen to land silverware this season having endured a trophyless campaign last time out.

City finished third in the 2024/25 campaign, 13 points behind champions Liverpool, and fell to an FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace back in May. In addition, they suffered their earliest Champions League exit in 12 years last season as they crashed out in the knockout phase playoffs at the expense of La Liga giants Real Madrid. Los Blancos made it to the quarter-finals of the competition before falling to a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal.