Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has suggested that Manchester City could face a points deduction between 40 and 60 points if found guilty in their ongoing financial charges case. The Premier League club is accused of 115 breaches of financial regulations covering a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, allegations that Manchester City has consistently denied throughout the proceedings.
Maguire shared his analysis during a recent appearance on The Overlap, outlining what sanctions might be imposed if the independent commission rules against the club. Nearly two years after the charges were initially brought forward, the football world continues to await a final verdict in one of the most significant cases in Premier League history.
Manchester City Financial Charges Could Result in Severe Penalties
According to Maguire, the scope of the alleged violations far exceeds those seen in recent cases involving Nottingham Forest and Everton. Both clubs received points deductions in 2024 for single financial offenses covering three-year periods, with Everton docked six points and Forest penalized four points.
The finance specialist emphasized that the Manchester City case covers a substantially longer timeframe and potentially involves more serious infractions. “If we take a look at precedence, we have had Everton and Nottingham Forest with six and four-point deductions for a single offence covering a three-year period,” Maguire explained, according to his appearance on The Overlap.
Points Deduction the Most Likely Sanction
Maguire clarified that relegation to League One or League Two would not be within the Premier League’s authority to impose. “The Premier League cannot relegate Manchester City to League One or League Two because that is an EFL decision and Manchester City have not had any charges proven against them by the EFL,” he stated.
Instead, a substantial points deduction appears the most probable outcome if guilt is established. “I think you have to add a zero to what we’ve seen in terms of Forest and Everton, so somewhere between a 40 and 60-point deduction would be, on merit to be consistent with what we’ve seen with other decisions, would make a lot of logic,” Maguire noted.
Potential Governance Changes Beyond Financial Penalties
The football finance specialist also suggested that proven guilt could trigger significant organizational changes at Manchester City. Drawing parallels with Juventus in Serie A, where board members resigned following false claims about player wages, Maguire indicated similar consequences could await the Premier League club.
However, Maguire acknowledged that both Manchester City and the Premier League maintain strong confidence in their respective positions. The complexity and severity of the charges have contributed to the extended timeline for reaching a conclusion, he suggested.
Title Race Implications for Arsenal and Rivals
The unresolved case continues to cast a shadow over the current Premier League title race, where Manchester City and Arsenal are competing for the championship. Additionally, the outcome could have retrospective implications for previous seasons during the period covered by the alleged violations.
The numbers and details surrounding the specific financial amounts involved remain uncertain, though Maguire indicated they are likely to be substantial. The charges extend beyond simple Financial Fair Play violations and touch on broader questions of financial reporting accuracy and transparency.
The independent commission has not announced when a final verdict will be delivered, and authorities have not confirmed any expected timeline for concluding the hearing. Both Manchester City and the Premier League await the outcome of what has become one of the most protracted and scrutinized cases in English football history.
