Several Premier League clubs are calling for Manchester City to face penalties covering both their past conduct and future activities following widespread breaches of financial regulations.
An independent commission ruled that City had committed every alleged violation of the Premier League’s financial rules from the 2009-10 season through to 2017-18.
City have challenged the decision through an appeal.
However, a group of senior top-flight officials reportedly agree that, should the appeal fail, the punishment must address the years in which the regulations were breached while also restricting the club’s future capabilities.
Officials at no fewer than four Premier League clubs also believe that a single points penalty leading to relegation would not adequately reflect the seriousness of City’s offences.
Clubs appear to hold differing views about the appropriate punishment for the eight-time Premier League champions, who were found responsible for every major financial breach considered by the independent commission.
One senior club representative argued that City should lose their titles. The official said clubs were not especially interested in reallocating the trophies, preferring instead to remove the honours and leave those titles unclaimed.
The representative cautioned that the Premier League’s credibility would suffer if City retained the eight major trophies secured during the period covered by the guilty verdict.
Nevertheless, opinions vary across the competition, with some clubs reportedly showing little enthusiasm for removing City’s titles.
Club officials are also concerned that a penalty lasting only one season would represent little more than a temporary setback, as City could potentially return to the Premier League immediately after relegation.
For that reason, several Premier League officials believe a points deduction should apply across multiple campaigns. There is also support for transfer restrictions spanning several windows, which could make it considerably harder for City to quickly restore their top-flight position.
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