'My understanding...' - Stefan Borson reveals what's next for Man City as 'severe' punishment expected
Manchester City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges aaginst them relating to Premier League financial regulaions.
The news has dropped like a lead balloon at the Etihad Stadium, with Man City expected to appeal against the independent panel's decision.
It is unknown exactly what the punishment could be for this unprecedented situation, with the idea of relegation, stripped titles and transfer bans being floated already.
A points deduction could be applied once a decision is made, or it could be applied retrospectively. In any case, Man City fans are in full-on panic mode.
Fans from up and down the Premier League are pushing for the harshest of punishments, and Stefan Borson has revealed his thoughts on the situation.
Borson, who has regularly voiced his thoughts on City's charges, had previously expected the situation to go on for "years and years," and it still could.
Man City must expect a 'severe' punishment
Speaking live on 25 September, 3:32pm, Borson revealed Man City's next steps, but ultimately believes that a very gruesome punishment awaits.
"They can appeal the sanction, but again, they're going to be appealing for a range of outcomes, and they are all severe.
"My understanding is that isn't quite what happening at the meeting. It wasn't that 'City have lost'. It was a bit more subtle than that. It was unclear as to the direction of travel. City were in the room, so it's unsurprising that there was no big discussion.
"I've got the feeling, though it's unclear, that there is some process in the background that City are making the sort of application that others have made in this period after the delivery of an embargoed decision but before its publication.
"City are trying, I assume, to prevent the publication of the liability decision, pending the rest of the process. That's a guess, but it wouldn't surprise me because that's what others have done.
"I suspect that will fail now because there's a public interest in this part of the decision being published. That will create another flow of issues, press converage, and all sorts of fallout that we can't predict at this stage.
What's next for Man City?
It is widely believed that the Citizens will attempt to appeal the decision, but the majority of football fans don't think the club stand any chance.
"We'll have a sanction hearing, and the sanction hearing will be in private. Both parties will put forward, City will put forward their mitigation. They can expect very little mitigation," Borson continued.
"On the other side, the Premier League will put forward what the punishment should be and what the aggravating factors are.
"City didn't cooperate initially. That is a major aggrevating factor. Even if it wasn't, the things they've done are so serious in themselves, any punishment will be severe."
Despite a summer of immense spending, all signs point towards an eye-watering punishment at the Etihad, and one that could have club-defining consequences.