According to The Sun, Manchester City faces a record points deduction of 70 to 80 points after the club was found guilty of numerous breaches of financial regulations.

Manchester City was found guilty on the majority of 130 charges relating to seasons from 2009 to 2018, during which the club won multiple titles, and could face sanctions including significant points deductions. The club, currently leading the league with stars such as Haaland, will almost certainly appeal.

Following this massive financial breach, Manchester City's competitors could even be retroactively awarded Premier League titles. Relegation from the Premier League and even expulsion from it are also mentioned as possible punishments if Manchester City loses its lengthy legal battle.

Sources report that players, fans, and staff are preparing for a record points deduction of 70 to 80 points, which would result in the team's relegation to the Championship. Premier League officials have not yet determined the final punishment, and retroactive points deductions may be included, potentially leading to awarding past championship titles to the runners-up.

During the seasons from 2009 to 2018 when Manchester City was accused of breaches, Manchester United and Liverpool finished second when Manchester City won the title. If Manchester City's points are deducted, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard could receive his first Premier League title, José Mourinho could add another title, and Sir Alex Ferguson could claim his 14th championship. Other possible punishments include bans from European competition.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham have already sent legal notices, reserving the right to claim £100 million each.

Since the club came under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour, a UAE royal family member, Manchester City has won 8 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, and 1 Champions League. During the period covered by the charges, Manchester City won 3 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, and 1 FA Community Shield.

This lengthy and costly legal battle began in November 2018 when financial documents were leaked to German media outlet Der Spiegel. In 2023, Manchester City was charged with falsifying financial records, concealing player and manager payments, breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules and Premier League sustainability rules, and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

When the charges were announced in 2023, club representatives said they were "surprised" given the "extensive and detailed materials" the Premier League had received. Then-manager Pep Guardiola said he was "absolutely convinced" that Manchester City would ultimately be found not guilty.

Manchester City subsequently issued a strong statement implying that Premier League leadership made a "biased" decision. A club representative said: "The Premier League process is still ongoing, and important milestones remain to be completed and are subject to strict confidentiality restrictions.

"Therefore, Manchester City Football Club's position aligns with its February 2023 statement. The club has acted in good faith throughout the proper process over the last eight years, operating on the basis that the Premier League Board and leadership would act as independent, impartial, and principled regulators free from any bias."

Manchester City representatives are also preparing for possible retroactive points deductions, a punishment that could strip the club of three past titles. In the 2011/12 season, Manchester City won their first Premier League title, beating fierce rivals Manchester United on goal difference thanks to Agüero's last-minute goal.

Two years later, Manchester City won the title by two points ahead of Gerrard's Liverpool; in the 2017/18 season, Manchester City won with 100 points, finishing 19 points clear of second-place Manchester United.

Insiders suggest that a direct points deduction is likely to be the final punishment, but it must be substantial enough to reflect the seriousness of the breaches, potentially dropping Manchester City from the top of the table to the bottom. Manchester City's expulsion from the Premier League is considered a "nuclear option," and the club could also face a record fine of up to £100 million.

This ruling also opens the possibility for teams that lost to Manchester City in cup finals to receive trophies retroactively. These include Stoke City, who lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final, and Sunderland, who lost 3-1 in the 2014 League Cup final.

This guilty verdict has also dampened fan sentiment. Manchester City's start to the new season initially looked very promising after spending £450 million over the summer.

Recent developments following Manchester City's guilty verdict include: one of the summer's major signings was World Cup-winning Argentine Enzo Fernández for £125 million, matching the British transfer record. Current manager Mauricio Pochettino replaced Guardiola this summer, ending Guardiola's 10-year tenure. Guardiola managed the team in the 2017/18 season, which is covered by the charges.

After the charges were announced, Guardiola strongly defended the club. He said: "You must understand that 19 Premier League clubs are accusing us, and we cannot defend ourselves. We are fortunate to live in a wonderful country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

"We do not have that opportunity; we have essentially already been convicted. I am absolutely convinced that in the end it will be proven that we are innocent."

Manuel Pellegrini led the team to the 2013/14 title, while Roberto Mancini brought Manchester City their first Premier League trophy. Mancini was previously accused of receiving unexplained salary increases during his tenure but denied any wrongdoing.

Manchester City representatives are preparing their next legal steps after accusing other clubs of collusion against them. The identities of the three independent commission members who made the decision remain confidential.

Premier League sources indicate that an appeal is unlikely to be filed before the official announcement of punishment. Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, believes the decision could undermine the foundations of football.

She stated: "Reports of the Premier League's decision against Manchester City Football Club have profound implications for our national game. The length and cost of this process raise serious concerns. This matter once again raises questions about how financial fair play is enforced across the football pyramid.

"This matter should continue to be handled in accordance with proper procedure, and due process must be observed, but I genuinely hope that the subsequent stages can be completed as quickly as possible."

Of the 115 charges initially brought against Manchester City, the club was found not guilty on only one. These charges were later increased to 130, divided into six categories.

Переведено ИИ.

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