Several punishments have been speculated about depending on any possible rule breaches by City and their severity, though details have been kept to the minimum about the case and each specific charge.
According to The Telegraph, City could be thrown out of several competitions if they are ‘found guilty of serious breaches’ of the Premier League’s rules.
Pep Guardiola’s side could be removed from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup as well as the English top flight if found guilty. There are also no assurances over whether the Etihad Stadium outfit would be able to continue playing in the Champions League or the Club World Cup.
There are risks attached to removing City from all competitions though and it could cause football for the overall English game. Thus, Guardiola’s side could be allowed to continue playing in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Champions League.
The rules of the two domestic competitions do raise doubts about whether that would be facilitated if City are kicked out of the Premier League.
Clause 31 of the FA Cup rules reads: “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.”
The EFL rules say ‘each member from time to time of the league and each member from time to time of the Premier League’ to fuel uncertainty as well.
The Champions League rules say that those competing in their competition must have a UEFA club licence. However, if not expelled, UEFA run the risk that City may go on to win the entire tournament and frustrate those left in their wake.
