Premier League clubs could vote against expelling Manchester City because of Erling Haaland and their other big-name players, according to reports. City have been found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period by an independent commission, as well as charges related to its failure to co-operate with the investigation.
City have maintained their innocence and remain committed to clearing their name. However, if their appeal fails, the independent commission could impose a hefty sanction, ranging from a transfer ban, financial penalties, or even relegation from the Premier League.
Expulsion vote and commercial concerns
In the event of relegation, it could be decided in two ways. The simplest from an administrative point of view would be via a traditional points deduction, which would effectively relegate City and drop them into the Championship as per the usual flow of teams through divisions.
Where it gets complicated is if they were expelled. That would require 15 of the 19 other Premier League teams to vote on their expulsion, while it would also give the EFL clubs a decision to make on accepting City into the pyramid and into which division.
As per Sky Sports News, Premier League executives are already concerned about the implications of expelling City, specifically from a commercial point of view. One executive told the outlet: "If City were expelled, that would have massive commercial consequences for everyone in the league, and ultimately it would cost the other clubs an awful lot of money."
Star players and pyramid integrity
It is mooted that the futures of big-name stars like Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Gianluigi Donnarumma could play into their thinking too, with another executive suggesting it is a risk "not worth taking" in regards to kicking City out of the Premier League. Several clubs are wary of the league losing the glamour of City and their big-name players.
By contrast, an unnamed Championship executive is fearful of the impact City dropping into the second tier would have on the competition. They said: "Whoever is making the decision on any City sanctions has to uphold the integrity of the whole English football pyramid - not only be thinking of the Premier League.
"It shouldn't be the case that if they're expelled from the Premier League that they just join the Championship. That should be for us to decide. They should have to earn their way back up English football."
The independent commission will deliberate on a punishment before revealing its decision.
