Shock development in Man City 115 charges case as Premier League told to brace for ‘carnage’

The Premier League has been warned to brace itself for “carnage” as a result of a major development in Manchester City’s 115 charges case, which is still ongoing.

City has strongly denied the 115 allegations of financial rule breaches levelled against them by the Premier League in February.

The independent panel has not yet issued its official verdict, even though the formal hearing into the allegations started in September.

The Premier League, however, has received an official warning after a fresh report exposed a major development in the case.

Rumour has it that the defending champions could now face as many as 130 charges, up from the original 115 for financial rule breaches by City in the Premier League.

The remaining Premier League clubs may have to decide their fate in the competition, according to a report from The i Paper, if City are found guilty of any of the most serious breaches they are accused of.

Whether the Independent Commission could ignore the Premier League’s regulations and ban City from the league is an open question; what punishment, if any, City could face is also unclear.

In such case, the only way City could be expelled from the Premier League would be for the panel to propose a course of action, which would subsequently be presented to the other clubs at a special shareholder meeting.

Aaryaman Banjeri, head of football governance at Lane Clark & Peacock, discussed the matter with The i Paper, explaining that clubs are required to vote as part of a Special Resolution in order to expel one of their members, according to Rule B6 of the Premier League’s Handbook.

For this to happen, fifteen clubs would have to agree to be kicked out. Investigating whether the Independent Commission is subject to this requirement or if a way is found to circumvent it so that the Commission can impose such a sanction on its own will provide valuable insights.

One Premier League executive, however, has cautioned that “carnage” could ensue throughout the competition if City were to prevail and win all 130 charges.

It weakens the Premier League’s rule-making power, although I don’t expect the roof to go in immediately. Is the entire financial fair play structure going to collapse next? the CEO enquired.