Man City 'faces potential 100-point deduction' as Premier League charges hearing looms

Manchester City has been warned that it could face a historic 100 points deduction if all 115 Premier League charges against it are proven. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire issued a chilling warning to the reigning champion, whose hearing for their charges is set to commence on Monday (September 16).

The case, expected to last two months, alleges that City broke Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period starting in 2009. They're also accused of failing to provide accurate financial information, with several different charges leveled at the club — allegations City strongly refutes.

The club risks facing an unlimited fine and, according to Maguire, almost certain expulsion from English football's top flight in the form of a points deduction if found guilty. During an appearance on talkSPORT, hosts Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara asked him what the punishment would look like for City if the charges are proven.

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"It can't be a financial punishment, that would make everybody think the whole thing was a waste of time," he said. "If you take a look at the hearing at both Everton and Nottingham Forest, the commissions both said this is a minor breach of the rules.

"Now if the allegations against Manchester City are proven, that surely has to be a major breach of the rules, effectively that the club misrepresented the money coming into the club, the club has also been accused of disguising payments to players and managers through third-parties, effectively being paid offshore via Abu Dhabi for services provided by members of staff.

"That is also completely against the rules one would think, although it could be that it's within the Premier League rules so we would have to be looking at a very significant points deduction. If all 115 charges are proven, then you would imagine the points deduction would be somewhere in the region of 60-100 points on the basis that they would want the club to suffer enough to be heading out of the division."

Man City last played in the second division of English football during the 2001/02 season. It has since become a staple of the Premier League, winning eight league titles since 2011/12.

Liverpool.com says: A points deduction of 100 points would effectively be a relegation for Manchester City but even then, it would come straight back the following year. Regardless, the case is so complex that trying to predict an outcome is almost impossible. The full range of options are on the table and we will have to wait and see what the news is when it eventually comes out.