Premier League 'ready' to hit Man City with relegation, a further points deduction and 'massive' fine
Manchester City could face relegation from the Premier League alongside additional points decuctions and a massive fine.
While no official announcement has been made by the Premier League on the result of their investigation, reports have claimed City will be found guilty of 114 of their 115 charges.
The governing body are now determined to "throw the book" at them, in an attempt to make an example and placate the demands of other clubs who have been left raging.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man City cannot be seen to get off lightly given the severity and the number of charges against them.
Previous high-profile issues across British football have seen the likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Rangers severely punished, and Man City should now be next.
While Man City maintain that the ruling is not yet final, and are likely to file an appeal, a decision about their punishment is being made behind the scenes.
What punishments will Man City face?
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson explained on 25 September that the club are expected to face a "severe" punishment after being found guilty.
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.
However, it is believed that the Premier League will not take a light view on this as they have with other issues in the past, and must instead be firm in their convictions.
"It's been obvious for a long time that something was amiss, and now they're ready to do something about it," Brown told Football Insider.
"It seems to me, the next thing that has got to happen is, there has got to be an official announcement and they've got to set out the penalties, and there are a lot of routes they could take.
"Ultimately, they've cheated on a massive scale, and the Premier League will want to throw the book at them to make an example, they can't just get off lightly.
"If all of these 114 charges are officially announced, as it seems they will be, there are grounds for points deductions, relegation, fines, lots of other issues as well.
"So the only way to really knock it on the head is by making a strong decision, relegate Man City for some of the charges, then hit them with points deductions for others, and a massive fine for others.
"All three of those punishments can be given, and I think there is a real chance they will be given the severity of the situation."
Could Man City win an appeal against the decision?
Alongside the ongoing speculation about potential punishments for Man City, the club are likely to lodge an appeal against the decision after it is formally announced.
It has taken three and a half years for a final verdict to be reached, but the cogs are now in motion, with the rest of the top-flight clubs already informed.
Meanwhile, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 25 September that it is highly unlikely that any appeal would stand up given the overwhelming evidence.
It has been suggested that the outcome of any appeal will be known within three months, despite suggestions the proceedings could drag on even further into the future.
Wyness also explained that Man City are likely to be hit with a 50-point deduction as part of their punishment, adding to the suggestions that the Premier League will throw the book at them.