Man City 'could be expelled from all competitions' if guilty - not just Premier League

Manchester City are currently defending themselves against allegations they breached Premier League financial rules 115 times - and the punishment could be even harsher than originally thought

Man City 'could be expelled from all competitions' if guilty – not just Premier League

Manchester City might not just be kicked out of the Premier League if they are found guilty of breaching financial fair play rules.

City are going up against the Premier League in what has been dubbed as the ‘Trial of the Century’ over 115 alleged breaches of FFP. They stand accused of failing to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period beginning in 2009 and that they then failed to co-operate with subsequent investigations.

The club denies all allegations and have recruited an all-star legal team to defend themselves and a verdict is not expected until early 2025. The Premier League could relegate City if they secure a legal victory because the club would have been found to be in breach of their rules.

But the punishment in the case of being found guilty could actually be even harsher, with their status in other competitions in question. The Telegraph reports that City could be booted out of the Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup if the Premier League wins its case against them.

It notes that clause 31 of the FA Cup rules states: “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.”

The fact that the PGB is made up of representatives of the Premier League and English Football League could prompt further punishment. Were they taken out of domestic competitions, it could trigger a domino effect in Europe too.

City are confident that they will be found not guilty of the charges, which include failing to provide accurate financial information. They claim they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their case.

Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)

"It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon," Pep Guardiola said on Friday. "An independent panel will decide. I'm looking forward to the decision. I'm happy it starts on Monday and I know there will be more rumours about the sentences that come up and we're going to see."

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is looking forward to getting rid of the cloud that has hung over the club’s recent achievements, which include four successive Premier League titles and an historic treble in 2022/23. "Of course, it's frustrating," he said in the summer. "I think the referencing is always frustrating. Having it being talked about the way it's being talked about. I can feel for our fanbase, and everyone associated with the club, to have these charges constantly referenced.

"I think we as a club have to respect that there is a process that we have to go through, and we’re going through it. It's taking longer than what anyone hoped for, but it is what it is, and I've always repeated, let's be judged by the facts, and not by claims and counterclaims."

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