Man City sent 'massive' points deduction warning in 115-charge FFP case – but Premier League champions not expected to be stripped of titles

The football world is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the hearing into Man City's 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. The reigning champions will present their case to an independent commission next month, with a decision expected to be made public next spring. In the meantime, City have been told to expect a "massive" points deduction by former Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray.

Nobody is really sure what to expect as a punishment if City are found guilty, but a hefty fine, points deductions and even relegation has been mooted. If the decision does not go City's way, their lawyers could draw the saga out even further by submitting an appeal. That is despite Pep Guardiola claiming this week that the club will accept whatever ruling is passed down.

beIN Sports co-host Gray said: "What will happen? I imagine, and I don't know, I imagine it'll be along the lines of a points deduction, a massive one. They will be found guilty. There's not 115 charges and they're going to be innocent of all of them. Without the independent tribunal, they wouldn't be charging them if there wasn't some evidence surrounding them there, that suggested they might be guilty."

Gray, however, does not expect City's titles to be stripped from them.

He added: "I don't think they'll take titles away from them, so what can they do? They can take points away from them now, they can fine them. Fining them? Who cares. They can fine them as much as they want, it doesn't matter to Manchester City, they can pay that out of their back pocket. The only thing I can see is a massive points deduction and a massive fine."

Guardiola's players have done a fine job of ignoring the noise, winning their opening two Premier League fixtures after claiming the Community Shield earlier this month. Next up for hat-trick hero Erling Haaland and Co. is a trip to West Ham United on Saturday.