Premier League scared of 'relegating Man City to Championship' over 115 charges verdict - 'they're too powerful'
Manchester City must be automatically relegated to the Championship if they are found guilty of the 115 charges they are accused of.
That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham scout Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Premier League and the Citizens still await a verdict in the case, which was heard in a hearing that ended in December 2024, almost two years after the charges were announced in 2023.
Man City are accused of failures to comply with the financial rules of both the Premier League and UEFA, while failing to provide accurate information or co-operate with investigations into the alleged breaches. They deny all charges.
Precedent has been set in the cases of Everton and Leicester City, who have been given point deductions in recent years.
It would be argued that Man City's charges are far more serious, however, with the outcome set to prove defining going forward.
Bryan King outlines potential Manchester City punishment
At various points there has been talk of the stripping of Man City's Premier League titles if they are to be found guilty, although all extremely unrealistic.
Points deductions and fines are far more likely to be on the table, although it remains unclear how long a wait is expected before any potential action is enforced.
"The only way you would teach them a lesson is to put them in the Championship," King told Football Insider. "You know, but it's not going to happen, is it? It's not going to happen. And if they fine them a lot of money, so what? They can pay it.
"If they come up with a figure of £500million or something ridiculous, you know, is that going to go against the fair play thing and the money that they used to run the football club?
"You know, the hardest thing would be points deduction and relegation. But it's not going to happen. Manchester City are too powerful in the Premier League. They're too powerful in England.
"Everybody would love to see it happen. But are the Premier League and the Football League or the FA, are they strong enough to do it? I don't think so, to be honest."
Man City verdict will be landmark
The verdict on the Premier League's charges against Man City is set have a huge effect on the rules themselves.
The charges are of such severity that should the Citizens be found not guilty, then those rules used to determine their breaches will undoubtedly tighten and change.
Should they be found guilty, the punishment will also be incredibly important for future cases.
A fine will simply not suffice as a deterrent, with the Premier League hoping for action that will guarantee similar charges do not have to laid out in the future.