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Man City charges: Premier League executives would be ‘staggered’ if clubs vote for expulsion as punishment

Sky Sports News understands that discussions remain ongoing within, and between, the bosses of other clubs in the Premier League about how they might react to developments in the Man City case; City's commercial appeal is seen as playing a key role in the attraction of the Premier League

Two senior executives at different top-level Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News they would be "staggered" and "amazed" if 15 clubs were prepared to vote to expel Manchester City from the league, with such a move akin to a "self-inflicted commercial disaster".

Expulsion is one of several punishments available to the independent commission, which earlier this week found Man City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them over alleged financial mismanagement. Other potential sanctions include a fine, a points deduction and/or a transfer embargo.

Man City remain adamant they are innocent and have vowed to fight the judgement.

Sky Sports News has been told discussions remain ongoing within, and between, the bosses of other clubs in the Premier League about how they might react to developments, with a number of them considering their own legal positions in terms of a possible financial claim against Man City.

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Barristers and lawyers across the country are working with Premier League clubs over the prospect of bringing further litigation against Manchester City. City continue to deny all the charges and will appeal by Friday's deadline.

But in a new and surprising development, we have been told that many rival clubs consider Man City such a key part of the commercial attraction of the Premier League, both in the UK and globally, that if rival clubs voted to expel them, it would be as if those clubs were "cutting off their noses to spite their faces".

"If Man City were expelled, that would have massive commercial consequences for everyone in the league, and ultimately it would cost the other clubs an awful lot of money," one executive, who didn't want to be named, told Sky Sports News.

He went on to explain that, should such a decision come during this or next season, it would mean only 19 clubs playing the remaining fixtures, with broadcasters in the UK and abroad likely to seek refunds due to the reduction in the number and attractiveness of the games they had paid to televise.

Sponsorship and other corporate sources of funding might well be reduced across the board if the most dominant club in English football in the last two decades were no longer playing in the Premier League.

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Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher believes stripping Manchester City of their titles should be part of their punishment after they were found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of financial rules. The club continue to deny the breaches.

Similarly, expulsion would bring the futures of stars like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and more into question, which would further risk the commercial attractiveness of the Premier League and, according to one source, would make expulsion "a risk not worth taking".

A further issue could be the uncertainty created by top clubs deciding to go against the recommended sanction laid out by the independent commission.

It's thought there is a counter-feeling among some top clubs that Manchester City remaining in the Premier League would be damaging to the brand and integrity of the competition, and that an extended period outside the top flight for City, even though it would lead to short-term financial pain, is necessary to maintain the league's global image for the future.

The differences of opinion within Premier League clubs will not affect the independent commission's decision, but it could be a factor if the clubs are forced to vote on City's possible expulsion.

If that commission were to recommend City be expelled, and then the Premier League clubs voted against such a move, it is unprecedented and unknown what - if any - punishment could then be brought against City.

Championship directors averse to Man City joining league

Latest from Sky Sports News' Lyall Thomas and Anthony Joseph:

Sky Sports News has sought out some of the current sentiment in the Championship about Man City potentially joining their league.

If there was an expulsion from the Premier League, Man City's future would then reside in the hands of the FA and EFL. A vote would have to take place involving all 72 clubs and a majority decision would be needed to determine where - and if - they enter into the EFL.

However, another possibility is a points deduction and one that could be severe enough to see Man City relegated to the Championship.

One top Championship club director believes Man City dropping into the Championship has "absolutely no" benefit for the league whatsoever and would prevent another club being promoted.

They said: "What benefit has the Championship got with Man City dropping into it? Absolutely none.

"The finances are so big they'll just blow the Championship away and go straight back up. So it kills a promotion spot for the other clubs. There isn't another club in the Championship that could handle that level of wealth."

Another Championship director told Sky Sports News: "Whoever is making the decision on any sanctions has to uphold the integrity of the whole English football pyramid - and not only be thinking of the Premier League.

"It shouldn't be the case that if they are expelled from the Premier League that they can just join the Championship. That should be for us to decide. They should have to earn their way back up English football."

Another Championship club source said: "It's not for us to comment on this process. There is a lot of uncertainty and speculation at the moment. But really no-one knows what's going to happen. I just hope that our [EFL clubs'] interests are considered and treated fairly."