Manchester City continue to maintain their innocence after lodging an appeal against a guilty verdict, as Premier League football fans await the final outcome on 114 alleged breaches of financial rules and regulations between 2009 and 2018.
Speculation over the club's punishment has persisted, with some fans and pundits calling for relegation from the English top flight. Others have warned against such extreme action, with reports emerging that one senior figure from a Premier League club has warned that potential sanctions have created a 'farcical' situation which has the potential to turn 'violent.'
Schmeichel's five-part proposal
Former City goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has urged officials not to relegate his former club, instead suggesting a 25-point deduction for the next five seasons, a forced sale of the club by its owners, a transfer ban, and a fine.
The 62-year-old said: "I think the ownership should be forced to sell the club. I don’t think they’re fit to run this football club and they’re not fit to run a football club in England. Also, I think bans for everyone who has been in on this."
He added: "They cannot operate in football. Take the titles away or let them keep the titles. I don't think it matters one way or the other."
Appeal timeline
No punishment will be decided until the appeals process has been navigated, with a decision likely to come in early 2027.
