According to The Sun, Manchester City could face a historic points deduction of 70 to 80 points following findings that the club breached multiple financial regulations.

Manchester City has been found to have breached the majority of 130 charges related to financial fair play violations during seasons from 2009 to 2018, when they won multiple titles. The club now faces severe penalties, including potential points deductions. Currently leading the league with star player Haaland, the club is almost certain to appeal the decision.

This major financial scandal could result in competitors receiving retrospective Premier League titles, or potential relegation and expulsion from the league if Manchester City loses its legal battle. A points deduction of 70 to 80 points would virtually guarantee the club's relegation to the Championship.

Sources indicate that players, fans, and staff are preparing for a potential 70 to 80-point deduction, which would trigger automatic relegation. Premier League officials have not yet finalized the punishment, which may also include retrospective points deductions that could award past titles to runners-up.

Between 2009 and 2018, during the periods in question, both Manchester United and Liverpool finished as runners-up in seasons when Manchester City won the title. If Manchester City is stripped of points, Steven Gerrard could receive his first Premier League title, José Mourinho could claim another championship, and Sir Alex Ferguson could add a 14th title to his record. Other reported penalties include European competition bans.

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

Since Sheikh Mansour, a member of the UAE royal family, took over Manchester City, the club 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 Community Shield.

This prolonged and costly legal battle began in November 2018 when financial documents were leaked to German news outlet Der Spiegel. In 2023, Manchester City was accused of falsifying financial records, concealing player and coach salaries, breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules and the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

When the charges were announced in 2023, club officials said they were "surprised," claiming the Premier League had received "detailed information" already. Manager Pep Guardiola said he had "complete confidence" that Manchester City would ultimately be cleared.

Manchester City subsequently issued a strong statement, implying that Premier League officials had made a "biased" decision. The club spokesman said: "The Premier League proceedings are ongoing, with significant steps still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality restrictions.

"The club's position therefore remains consistent with our February 2023 statement. We have fully complied with the appropriate processes throughout an eight-year period, with the presumption that the Premier League's independent panel and officials would act as impartial, neutral, and principled regulators free from bias."

Manchester City officials are also preparing for the possibility of retrospective points deductions, which could result in the loss of three past titles. In the 2011/12 season, Manchester City won their first Premier League title, defeating Manchester United on goal difference with a late injury-time winner from Agüero.

Two years later, Manchester City won the title ahead of Liverpool, led by Gerrard, by 2 points. In the 2017/18 season, Manchester City won with a record 100 points, finishing 19 points ahead of second-place Manchester United.

Insiders suggest that a direct points deduction is the likely final punishment, but the scale must be severe enough to reflect the gravity of the violations, potentially dropping Manchester City from the top to the bottom of the table. Expulsion from the Premier League is considered a "nuclear option," and the club could face an unprecedented fine of up to £100 million.

This ruling could also allow competitors who lost cup finals to Manchester City to be awarded trophies retrospectively, including Stoke City, who lost the 2011 FA Cup final 1-0, and Sunderland, who lost the 2014 League Cup final 3-1.

The guilty verdict has also dampened fan sentiment, especially after Manchester City spent £450 million on transfers this summer as the new season began on a high note.

Recent developments following the guilty verdict include one of the summer's major signings: Enzo Fernández, the Argentine World Cup winner, for £125 million, matching the English transfer record. Enzo Maresca took over as manager this summer from Guardiola, ending his 10-year tenure. Guardiola managed the team during the 2017/18 season, which is covered by the charges.

Following the announcement of the charges, Guardiola strongly defended the club, saying: "You have to understand that 19 other Premier League clubs are accusing us, and we don't have the ability to defend ourselves. We're fortunate to live in a wonderful country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

"We don't have that luxury. We've essentially been found guilty already. I have complete confidence that we will ultimately be proven innocent."

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

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

Premier League sources indicate that an appeal is unlikely to occur before the formal announcement of penalties. MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the House of Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Committee, believes this ruling could shake the foundations of English football.

She said: "Reports about the Premier League's decision regarding Manchester City have profound implications for our national game. The length of this process and the associated costs raise serious concerns. This raises questions again about how financial fair play is enforced across the football system.

"This matter must continue and proper procedures must be followed, but I sincerely hope the next steps can be completed as quickly as possible."

Of the original 115 charges against Manchester City, only one was not found to have been breached. The charges have since increased to 130, divided into six categories.

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