Manchester City Could Face Severe 40-60 Point Deduction in Landmark FFP Case
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has issued a stark warning that Manchester City could be hit with a points deduction of between 40 and 60 points if found guilty in their high-profile 115-charge Financial Fair Play case. The Premier League club faces allegations of committing 115 breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, which the club has consistently denied.
Expert Analysis Points to Severe Consequences
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Maguire emphasized that City's potential punishment could be far more severe than those handed to Nottingham Forest and Everton in 2024. He explained that while the Premier League cannot relegate Manchester City to League One or League Two—as that decision falls under EFL jurisdiction—a substantial points deduction remains the most likely outcome.
"If we take a look at precedence, we have had Everton and Nottingham Forest with six and four-point deductions for a single offence covering a three-year period," Maguire stated. "The accusations against Manchester City cover a nine-year period, so it is far bigger."
Comparing Punishments and Potential Impact
Maguire elaborated on the scale of the potential penalty, noting that the financial numbers involved are likely significant. "I think you have to add a zero to what we've seen in terms of Forest and Everton, so somewhere between a 40 and 60-point deduction would be, on merit to be consistent with what we've seen with other decisions, would make a lot of logic," he said.
The expert highlighted key differences between City's case and those of other clubs. While Forest and Everton's cases focused purely on Financial Fair Play violations, Manchester City faces more serious accusations that include corporate fraud. This complexity explains why the investigation has taken so long to reach a conclusion.
Broader Implications for Club Leadership
Maguire suggested that if Manchester City are found guilty, the consequences could extend beyond points deductions to fundamental changes in club leadership. "Corporate fraud is a very serious accusation. The board of directors would have to go," he warned.
Drawing parallels with Juventus's situation in Serie A, where the board resigned after false claims about player wages were proven, Maguire emphasized the honesty issues at stake. "How can you be in a meeting room with other members of the Premier League, with the Premier League itself—of whom you are a shareholder—with this accusation being proven?" he questioned.
The finance expert concluded that a guilty verdict could lead to a complete restructuring of the club's leadership, though he noted that both Manchester City and the Premier League remain confident in their respective positions as the case continues to unfold.
