A Premier League executive claims a a record points deduction could be on the cards if Manchester City are found guilty of the 115 alleged charges.
In February 2023, dominant champions City were charged with rule breaches by the Premier League following a four-year investigation.
Over a 14-season period, City are accused of inflating sponsorship revenues, not providing the accurate financial information when it comes to club revenue, sponsorship revenue and operating costs and breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
A hearing has been scheduled for September 16 and is expected to last for 10 weeks.
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If City are found guilty, possible punishments include relegation, fines and points deductions.
And one Premier League executive expects one of the highest penalties in English football in the event City lose the case - with an unprecedented points deduction that would have a seismic impact on English football.
As per The Athletic, he said: "The collective view I've heard is that an appropriate sanction would have to be a points deduction so substantial — we are talking here between 70 and 80 points — that it guarantees City a season in the Championship."
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City have regularly denied any wrongdoing and say have "irrefutable evidence" to prove their innocence in court.
Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, managing director Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain have all assured Pep Guardiola that they will be cleared.
And the Catalan has already gone on record to confirm he would not look to exit even if City receive a negative outcome.
"At the moment we are innocent until it is proved we are guilty," Guardiola said last year in a press conference.
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"I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.
"But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."
City and the Premier League are also locked in a separate case over associated party transactions (APT) rules, with a verdict expected in the coming weeks.
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SPORTbible has contacted Manchester City and the Premier League for comment.
Topics: Premier League, Manchester City
Josh Lawless