Could Manchester City lose 60 points? Former CEO weighs in

March 9, 2026 Oliver Obel

Manchester City’s long-running financial case remains unresolved months after hearings concluded, with debate continuing over what sanctions the club could face if the Premier League proves its allegations.

The club was charged in February 2023 with 115 alleged breaches of the league’s financial rules, relating largely to reporting requirements and financial sustainability regulations over a period spanning nearly a decade.

City strongly denies the accusations.

An independent commission heard the case during an eight-week hearing between October and December 2024, but the verdict has yet to be made public.

Severe points deduction discussed

As the football world waits for the outcome, several former executives and finance experts have begun discussing what punishments might look like if the club were found responsible for the most serious charges.

Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness suggested that a significant points deduction could be a logical sporting sanction.

"Look, it is the sort of penalty I would think, if they were found guilty, I think 60 points would make sense," Wyness said.

Wyness added that such a sanction, while severe, might ultimately be something the club could accept depending on the commission’s findings.

"And I think it could be something that City could accept if they were found guilty.

"But of course, there'll be an appeal anyway [regardless of the verdict, as both City and the Premier League can appeal].

"So if it was 60 points, that'll probably be reduced as well."

Appeals and precedent

Even if a penalty were imposed, legal appeals are widely expected. Both the Premier League and Manchester City would have the right to challenge the commission’s decision.

Former Aston Villa and Liverpool director Christian Purslow believes the final ruling will likely follow previous disciplinary precedents within English football.

Speaking on The Football Boardroom, a podcast co-hosted by journalist Henry Winter, Purslow argued that sporting penalties such as points deductions are the most probable outcome.

"My point is a simple one," Purslow said. "When this is left to the judges, however frustrating it is that that takes so long, will be in the land of precedent.

"The precedent is sporting sanction. The sporting sanction is likely to be major points deductions, which ultimately could translate into relegation."

Financial experts weigh in

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has also suggested that any punishment could be substantial when compared with recent Premier League financial cases.

Everton and Nottingham Forest both received points deductions for breaches of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules, although those cases involved fewer charges over shorter time periods.

During an appearance on The Overlap’s Fan Debate, Maguire said the scale of the allegations against Manchester City could justify a far larger penalty.

"The Premier League cannot relegate Manchester City to League One or League Two, because that is an EFL decision, and Manchester City have not had any charges proven against them by the EFL," Maguire said.

"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."

Background to the case

The charges against Manchester City include alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, claims relating to manager and player compensation disclosures, and accusations that the club did not cooperate fully with the Premier League’s investigation.

The alleged breaches cover multiple seasons between 2009 and 2018, making it one of the most significant regulatory cases in Premier League history.

A final ruling from the independent commission is still pending.

Sources: Football Insider, The Football Boardroom, The Overlap