Manchester City facing point deduction that could guarantee Premier League relegation

Manchester City facing point deduction that could guarantee Premier League relegation Manchester City face a major points deduction that could guarantee their relegation from the Premier League as punishment for financial breaches, the Daily Mail reports. City have started the season in remarkable form. They’ve won seven Premier League games in a row, with Enzo Maresca proving he can adequately replace his mentor Pep Guardiola. However, that hasn’t removed the dark clouds looming over the club after their recent guilty verdict. An independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League, and the authorities are under pressure to decide an appropriate punishment. Many across English football have been frustrated by how long it’s taking to punish them. City have also appealed the ruling , which could further delay the conclusion of the case. The Premier League could announce City’s punishment before their appeal is concluded, with the appeal decision potentially arriving after January. Expelling City from the Premier League and forcing them to restart in League Two would be the most extreme outcome. But sources familiar with the process believe that’s unlikely. Removing one of English football’s biggest clubs from the top flight would create major problems for both the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL). That makes a less extreme punishment more practical, but a substantial points deduction and a significant financial penalty could be the preferred option. City could be relegated to the Championship, regardless of their on-pitch performance. A further deduction could also make it difficult for them to return to the Premier League immediately. Although the EFL would not automatically be required to accept an additional punishment affecting City in the Championship, it could agree to such an arrangement. City have been criticised for how they’ve handled the case, and their approach has worsened relations with other clubs and football authorities. Nevertheless, any punishment must consider the future of English football and the need to hold clubs accountable for financial misconduct. A severe sanction would send a strong message that financial rules must be respected.