British media: Manchester City could be relegated from the Premier League for two seasons

Manchester City, who lead the English Premier League, the top tier of football in England, could receive a penalty for breaching financial rules so severe that the club would have to spend at least two consecutive seasons in the Championship, the country's second-tier league. British media are reporting the possibility.

What came before

At the end of September, a commission found the club guilty of a series of financial rule breaches linked to the period from 2009 to 2018. City deny the charges and have appealed the commission's decision. No specific sanctions have been announced so far.

Penalties under discussion

Oliver Holt, a journalist at the Daily Mail, writes that one possible punishment is a points deduction that would effectively guarantee the club's relegation from the Premier League. A further points deduction in the following season is also reportedly being considered, which would make it harder for City to return to the top flight straight away.

A financial fine is also being discussed. Complete expulsion of the club from England's professional league system is regarded as unlikely.

The punishment has not yet been confirmed, and the final decision will become known after an official announcement.