Rangers have 'set the precedent' for Man City punishment as 'immediate' relegation looms
Manchester City are at risk of suffering immediate relegation to League Two if they are found guilty of financial rule breaches.
Reports have claimed the Cityzens will be found guilty of 114 of their 115 charges for breaching financial rules in what is an unprecedented situation in English football.
While no formal announcement has been made by the Premier League, clubs are believed to have been made aware, and punishments are now being considered.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man City should be punished severely and could be set to follow the path taken with Rangers in 2012.
The Scottish giants suffered severe financial issues and liquidation, and while that is not the same as Man City's situation, the punishment has set a clear precedent.
Rangers were relegated to the lowest tier of Scottish professional football, and Man City could be in line to suffer the same fate, with multiple options still being discussed.
What is Man City's most likely punishment?
Brown told Football Insider on 28 September that the Premier League are ready to throw the book at Man City, with relegation, points deductions and a massive fine on the cards.
Previous high-profile issues with financial breaches have seen the likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Rangers severely punished, and Man City should now be next.
While relegation to League Two could be seen as harsh by many, there is a clear precedent for it in British football, and Man City could be set to follow Rangers' path.
"If all of these 114 charges are officially announced, as it seems they will be, there are grounds for relegation," Brown told Football Insider.
"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.
"I think there's a huge risk that Man City could suffer an immediate relegation. There have been suggestions that they could be pushed all the way down to the bottom of the pyramid in League Two.
"We've seen it happen before with Rangers when they had financial issues, so a precedent has been set, they might use that as an example to justify making that call.
"It's pretty similar in that it's a huge club, a big contender in the league and a big reason people are watching, an important financial asset too, but they cannot be immune to punishment.
"Obviously we're still awaiting an announcement, but they are discussing a number of options and that could be something they decide is a worthy punishment."
Could Man City's appeal be successful?
Ahead of the official announcement from the Premier League about the breaches, Man City's guilt, and any punishment, there will also be an appeal process in place.
Man City are widely expected to take up the chance to appeal, and believe they will be successful in any claim as they maintain their innocence across all public statements.
However, 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.
A severe punishment is expected to land at the Etihad, and with City likely to come out on the wrong end of any appeal, they must wait to find out what awaits them.