Manchester City have been found guilty of 113 of the 114 charges brought by the Premier League over financial rule breaches, and could face a punishment modelled on Rangers' banishment to League Two, according to pundits.
The 10-time English champions are expected to appeal the decision, but if unsuccessful they are anticipated to face one of the most severe punishments ever handed out in English football. The charges cover a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018, during which City won the league three times.
Rangers precedent cited by pundits
Celtic hero Paul Lambert told BOYLE Sports: "It's really difficult as to what the ban is going to be set at, I think. The authorities must work out whether it is going to be a massive financial hit, or deduction with points or relegation to the bottom league, as with what happened to Rangers. But whatever happens, I think it's going to snowball to a lot of clubs."
Former England striker Darren Bent told talkSPORT: "When you look at what happened to Juventus, when you look at what happened to Rangers - what did they go down, like four divisions? They are going to have to get relegated. They should be relegated to League Two, and a transfer ban for like five years, six years. It's going to have to be. The Championship is not enough."
Rival clubs seek harsh sanctions
Rival clubs are expected to call for as harsh a punishment as possible, with Manchester United and Liverpool - both runners-up to City in the affected seasons - feeling they could be in line to be awarded titles retrospectively. City are braced for heavy sanctions, with the exact outcome yet to be determined.
