As the focus on Manchester City's potential punishment continues to grow, many clubs in the Premier League are beginning to get worried

Premier League clubs are concerned Manchester City's appeal will stretch beyond this season. City are unwilling to agree a settlement with the top-flight, which would bring down the curtain on the saga, and have instead launched an appeal.

Out of the 100-plus charges concerning the violation of the division's financial rules, City were found guilty on all but one. They were deemed by an independent commission to have inflated their commercial revenues and reduced costs by more than £920m, although the club is arguing the United Arab Emirates government were responsible for some of the deals, instead of the club's owners.

The scale of the punishment is unknown, with a significant, relegation-guaranteeing points deduction being a possibility, as well as a significant fine. There has also been talk of titles being stripped, but nothing has been announced.

However, Premier League clubs are concerned the club will not be punished this season. There is also a lingering worry City may appeal any punishment and kick the matter into the long grass, stretching out the saga beyond this year and the next.

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According to The Telegraph, a source said: "The talk among clubs is that nobody can see it getting sorted out this season. That’s a massive problem because nobody is sure what they are playing for and whether or not the final positions will stand.”

Furthermore, an appeal hearing date is yet to be set, with a panel still being appointed to scrutinise the evidence. Premier League rules state the appeal commission has to return a decision within 12 weeks, but this rule was not in place when the charges were set.

This is something City may look to challenge, further drawing out the saga. The appeal panel has the power to scrutinise the commission's decision, the evidence, documents and transcripts from witnesses.

It would be unusual for witnesses to be re-examined again, which differentiates the process from a full re-hearing. The appeal commission has the power to overturn some or all of the findings and refer matters for more reconsideration.

They can also uphold all of the findings or even refer the matter to a new commission for a retrial. If the appeal does not bear fruit for City, they may even be willing to take their case past sporting regulatory bodies.

Another source added: "City don’t appear to accept any guilt. Logically, you would think that having been found guilty on so many charges, they would look for some sort of settlement.

"But that doesn’t seem possible at the moment. Everybody is just waiting for the punishment and that is no good for the league or the clubs.”

City have enjoyed an impeccable start to the new Premier League season. They have won all seven of their matches, including recording a 1-0 away victory over Manchester United after going down to ten men.