Everton and Nottingham Forest playing 'key role' in Man City punishment decision
Everton and Nottingham Forest are likely to be used as references as the Premier League weigh up a punishment for Manchester City.
Reports say the eight-time Premier League winners will be found guilty of 114 of their 115 charges for breaching financial rules, with other clubs made aware of the decision.
While no formal announcement has been made as things stand, discussions are underway about potential punishments, with a massive points deduction on the cards.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that any points penalty would have to line up with those handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest by the Premier League.
Both Everton and Forest were punished for breaching financial rules, with the former deducted eight points for two seperate breaches, and the latter deducted four for one breach.
Taking into account Man City's 114 breaches, they could have "hundreds" of points struck off, with their rival clubs pushing for a deduction which could lead to their relegation.
How big could Man City's points deduction be?
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 25 September that Man City could be deducted 50 points and are likely to lose any appeal against the decision.
A deduction of that scale would have seen City relegated in every season since 2023-24, and would match the expectation that any points penalty would serve to demote them.
Considering the punishments handed to both Everon and Nottingham Forest, any deduction for Man City would have to be in line with them, and could be "massive".
"Whatever the punishment is for Man City, it has to be in line with what we've seen before," Brown told Football Insider.
"Everton were deducted eight points and Nottingham Forest were decucted four, so I'm sure both of those clubs will be pushing for Man City's deduction to follow suit.
"If the Premier League decide that is the way they want to go, then it could be hundreds of points. If you think one deduction equals four points, now times that by 114.
"It's obviously not quite as simple as that, the charges will be for all sorts of different things and will likely be given different punishments.
"But clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest will be expecting the Premier League to treat Man City in the same way they were treated when they had their issues.
"Those clubs, and the precedent that the Premier League set with their reductions, will have a key role in any decision they make."
Which other punishments could Man City face?
A points deduction is not the only potential punishment Man City are facing as a result of their breaches, with a number of potential options being discussed.
There have been suggestions that the club could be stripped of their titles, relegated from the Premier League, and handed a potential transfer ban.
Brown told Football Insider on 28 September that the Premier League are ready to throw the book at Man City and must ensure the punishment is as severe as their offences.
As a result, they could face relegation to League Two alongside hefty points deductions and a massive fine, with the powers-that-be looking to come down hard and firm.
While Man City maintain that the ruling is not yet final, and are likely to file an appeal, they have been warned it will have little chance of success and they must face their punishment.