City could reportedly face a points deduction of between 40 and 50 points in a single Premier League season if their appeal against an independent commission’s findings is unsuccessful.

City were found guilty in September of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, as well as the majority of charges relating to their failure to co-operate with the investigation.

Man City punishment claim emerges

According to Football Insider, sources have suggested a single-season deduction of around 40 to 50 points is increasingly likely if Manchester City fail in their appeal. The report also claims an extended transfer ban and a substantial financial penalty could form part of any eventual sanction.

No such punishment has been officially confirmed. The Premier League has said the appeal hearing will remain private and confidential until its outcome can be published. League rules give an independent commission broad discretion over sanctions, which can include fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties. There is no fixed tariff setting out what City would receive if the original findings are upheld.

City lodged their appeal earlier this month and continue to deny wrongdoing, arguing that the commission’s decision contains material errors. Football Insider reports that the club remain confident about their case and are not planning major internal changes while the process continues.

The same report suggests an appeal verdict could arrive early in 2027, although no official date has been announced. That leaves the scale of any possible punishment uncertain. A 40 or 50-point deduction would have major consequences for City’s Premier League season, but the figure remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed sanction.

For now, the appeal must be decided before the next stage of the case becomes clear.

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Gary Gowers is a sports journalist and the editor of Read Everton, where he leads daily coverage of Everton news, transfers and analysis. He also writes about Manchester City for Read Man City and motorsport for Read Motorsport. A former accountant, he became a freelance writer in 2011 and has written for BBC Sport and Metro.