The long-running Manchester City financial charges case has entered a new phase after the club was reportedly found guilty of the majority of the charges brought against it.
However, the verdict does not immediately bring the saga to an end. Several major questions remain, including what punishment City could face, when it could be imposed and whether the club will appeal.
Here are four possible scenarios that could shape what happens next...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
1. No punishment is announced this season
The independent commission still has to determine the appropriate sanctions. That process could take months, meaning City could potentially complete the season before any punishment is officially announced.
2. City face a points deduction
A points penalty remains one of the possible sanctions. Depending on its size and whether it is imposed immediately or suspended, it could have a major effect on City’s Premier League campaign.
3. City are removed from the Premier League
Another possibility is demotion from the top flight. The rules allow for removal from the Premier League, although the exact punishment would depend on the commission’s final decision.
4. City appeal the decision
Manchester City are expected to challenge the verdict through the available appeal process. This could prolong the case further and delay the final outcome.
The club has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the investigation and maintains that the legal process is not yet complete.
For now, the Premier League faces another period of uncertainty as the football world waits for the commission’s decision on sanctions and the next stage of what has become one of the longest-running financial cases in English football.
