Manchester City are reportedly facing the catastrophic threat of being banned from all competitions if they are found guilty of FFP breaches.
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Hearing into FFP case has been openedCity waiting to discover their fateRivals calling for toughest possible punishmentsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The reigning Premier League champions have seen the hearing into their Financial Fair Play case, which could include as many as 130 charges, finally opened. No ruling is expected for at least a couple of months, while any appeals would drag a protracted saga out even further.
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For now, the reports on how English football could be “thrown into chaos” if City are stung with the toughest possible punishments. It is claimed that many rivals believe a one-off points deduction would not be sufficient, with expulsion from the Premier League one avenue that may be explored.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
If that were to be the case, then rules relating to FA Cup and Carabao Cup competition could lead to the Blues being removed from all domestic activity. Clause 31 of the FA Cup rules states: “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 Cup rules define participating clubs as “each member from time to time of the league and each member from time to time of the Premier League”.
WHAT NEXT?
Champions League rules are slightly different, as they fall under the remit of UEFA, and City are due to take part in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer. Their participation in those events would be case into serious doubt if they were to be expelled from all events in England.