Manchester City may find themselves in serious trouble, with the possibility of a significant points deduction alongside financial penalties that could surpass £1 billion. This stark warning comes from Kieran Maguire, a noted expert in football finance.
An independent commission has found City guilty on nearly all counts relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club is currently contesting this ruling, meaning that final sanctions have yet to be announced.
Maguire indicates that the scale of potential penalties could far exceed any precedent in English football.
He remarked:
The edited year-on-year accounts show how controversial contracts inflated commercial revenue.
In certain three-year periods, discrepancies could reach up to £350 million. This completely exceeds the norm in terms of PSR violations.
The finance expert likened the situation to previous cases involving Everton and Nottingham Forest, where issues were predominantly tied to single violations within specific reporting periods.
In Maguire's view, Manchester City could face a far harsher punishment.
If we’re talking about points deductions, in my opinion, it should be several dozens, even before any further calculations.
Moreover, Maguire pointed out that the potential financial impact isn't limited to penalties from the Premier League.
He suggests that clubs that have missed out on Champions League and Europa League placements over the years could theoretically lodge claims, as could players who have lost out on bonuses.
If you consider nine seasons of certain clubs potentially missing out on the Champions League, possible Europa League losses, player claims, Premier League legal costs, and fines, then the sum could exceed £1 billion regardless of any points deduction.
The expert also addressed the possibility of the club being expelled from the Premier League, calling such a scenario extremely complicated.
He explained that other clubs would have to factor in the risks of new legal proceedings, especially if the exclusion attempt occurred before the appeal process was resolved.
Maguire noted that Premier League teams have differing views on the protracted case.
Some clubs in the upper echelons of the table are particularly frustrated with the delay, believing that it might affect the Champions League qualification spots.
Other clubs are more concerned about escalating legal costs and are eager for a definitive outcome as soon as possible.
For now, the key factor remains the result of Manchester City's appeal. Until it’s concluded, neither specific points deductions nor the £1 billion financial penalties have been officially confirmed.
