The Premier League is about to witness one of the most historic and possibly damaging legal battles in the history of English football. At the heart of it all is Manchester City—a club that has dominated the English game over the last decade but now faces 115 charges that could shake the very foundations of their empire. With the hearing now confirmed to start on Monday and expected to last for up to two months, multiple reports have revealed what could happen if City lose the case. And the consequences are serious.
This isn’t just about fines or slaps on the wrist. It’s about points deductions, title questions, and the very credibility of the Premier League itself. For fans of City, rivals, neutrals, and everyone who follows English football, this is a story too big to ignore.
Manchester City have been charged with 115 separate alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. These aren’t minor accusations—they cover a huge period of nine years, from 2009 to 2018. During this time, City transformed from a hopeful team with ambition into one of the most successful and powerful clubs in world football. They won league titles, domestic cups, and built one of the most expensive squads ever seen. But now, serious questions are being asked about how they did it
According to sources, much of the evidence behind these charges came from documents leaked to German newspaper *Der Spiegel* in 2009. Since then, the Premier League has reportedly been investigating Manchester City in silence, for over five years. Now, it’s all coming to a head. The club has completely denied all allegations. In fact, City claim to have “irrefutable evidence” that will clear them of any wrongdoing. They’re ready to go to war. Their owners and directors are not only confident—they’re furious. They believe the club is being unfairly targeted and that the truth will be revealed in court.
But if they lose? That’s where things get very serious. A new report from the *Evening Standard*. has claimed that, while relegation is possible , it’s not the most likely outcome. Instead, the most probable punishment is a huge points deduction—one that could go as high as 30 points. Let that sink in.
For context, a 30-point deduction would completely destroy City’s season, no matter how strong their squad is. It would remove them from title contention, Champions League qualification, and possibly even push them into a relegation battle. The scale of that punishment is massive—and it would be a clear signal from the Premier League that breaking the rules has serious consequences. The Premier League is reportedly determined to come down hard if it wins the case. They want to set a precedent. They want other clubs to know that financial cheating will not be tolerated. For a league that is always under pressure to be transparent and fair, punishing City would be a way to restore credibility.
This is where things get even more complicated. There has been talk of stripping Manchester City of the titles they won during the alleged period of wrongdoing. However, according to the Evening Standard, this kind of “retrospective punishment” is very unlikely. The logistics of removing titles, rewriting league history, and awarding trophies to other clubs years later are considered too complex and controversial. The Premier League knows that trying to change past results could open a floodgate of legal problems.
So instead, the focus will likely remain on what happens going forward. That’s why a points deduction and a massive fine are seen as the more realistic outcomes. And it’s not just Manchester City who could suffer. The Premier League itself is taking a huge risk. The Daily Mail has reported that, even if the Premier League wins the case, it could still be left with a legal bill worth tens of millions of pounds. That’s because the league will have to cover much of the costs of the trial—especially if, like in the Everton case, the panel decides that the accused club shouldn’t pay the full bill.
In Everton’s situation, the Premier League tried to make the club pay £4.9 million for their Profit and Sustainability Rules case, which led to a points deduction. However, on appeal, it was ruled that Everton should only pay a third of that—around £1.7 million. The Premier League had to cover the rest.
If the same happens with City—and the costs are far higher due to the scale of the case—it could leave the league in a financial mess, even if it wins. That’s how complicated this situation is. It’s not just football—it’s law, politics, and power all mixed together.
So, what exactly will happen in the hearing?
An independent commission will be in charge of the case. They are not part of the Premier League or Manchester City. They will look at the evidence, hear from both sides, and make a final decision. That process is expected to last around two months, but the final verdict may not be known until after the end of the 2024/25 season. That’s because either side—City or the Premier League—can appeal the outcome. Until then, Manchester City are allowed to compete as normal. But the shadow of the trial will hang over them all season. Every match they win, every point they collect, will feel uncertain. Rivals will be watching closely. Fans will be debating endlessly. What if City win the league again this year, only to have 30 points deducted later? What does that mean for the rest of the teams?
And City’s response has been just as powerful. The club continues to stand firm. They have not backed down, and they’ve made it clear that they’re ready to fight this all the way. Their lawyers are among the best money can buy. The club believes that they are being targeted because of their success, their spending, and their rise to the top.
But this is not a case that can be swept under the rug. The sheer number—115 charges—is unprecedented. No other club in Premier League history has faced anything like it. If even a portion of those charges are proven true, the fallout could be enormous—not just for City, but for the reputation of the entire English game.
If the Premier League proves its case, it would be proof that the rules actually mean something—that no club is too big, too rich, or too powerful to face justice. But if City prove their innocence, it could damage the Premier League’s authority. It would raise questions about the league’s investigation methods and fairness. Whatever happens, one thing is clear: this case will define the future of English football
City fans, for their part, remain loyal. They believe in their club, they believe in Pep Guardiola, and they believe the truth will come out in their favour. But even they admit that the stakes have never been higher. The hearing begins on Monday. For the next few months, we’ll hear lawyers, witness statements, leaked reports, expert opinions, and endless media coverage. The football world will be watching like never before.
Because when a club like Manchester City—champions of England, champions of Europe, the face of the modern Premier League—is dragged into a courtroom to face 115 charges of financial misconduct, everything is at risk
