Manchester City expected to be relegated this season

Manchester City are facing the possibility of one of the most severe punishments ever imposed on an English football giant.

The long-running case has already reached a historic stage after an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules across nine seasons.

City maintain their innocence and have lodged an appeal, meaning the final outcome remains unresolved.

However, attention has inevitably turned towards punishment.

The commission has wide-ranging sanctioning powers, with potential consequences including a substantial points deduction, fines and sporting penalties.

Relegation has dominated the discussion, with Wayne Rooney arguing that City should be sent down and face restrictions afterwards.

There has even been debate over historical honours.

If titles were stripped and retrospectively reassigned, Manchester United could potentially benefit from the 2011/12 and 2017/18 seasons.

Paul Scholes has already demanded another Premier League medal, although no decision to remove or reallocate trophies has been announced.

Manchester City rivals expect relegation if appeal fails

The possibility of relegation has now received another significant boost.

According to Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol, rival Premier League clubs do not expect Manchester City to be playing in the top flight next season if their appeal against the guilty verdict fails.

Sky reports that City’s rivals believe the punishment should reflect the scale and duration of the breaches.

Many reportedly consider a points deduction insufficient if it merely results in City spending one season outside the Premier League before returning.

The same three-person panel responsible for the original decision will determine the sanctions after hearing recommendations from the Premier League and arguments from City’s lawyers.

City and the Premier League will also have the ability to appeal the eventual sanction.

That means nothing is settled yet, with the process potentially continuing into 2027.

Nevertheless, the mood among City’s rivals appears increasingly severe.

After years of uncertainty, the prospect of Manchester City beginning next season outside the Premier League is now being openly anticipated by clubs they currently compete against.