Man City 'punishment plan' faces problem as staggering points deductions likely

· Mirror

Manchester City's possible relegation down the divisions of English football will require some collaboration as a potential obstacle to that plan emerges

The Premier League will need the cooperation of the English Football League (EFL) if Manchester City are to feel the full force of their reported planned punishment. The current Premier League leaders have appealed against their 114 guilty charges for spending breaches.

How exactly they will be sanctioned, if the decision isn't overturned, remains to be seen. But according to the Daily Mail, the most likely punishment would be a points deduction that will guarantee relegation to the Championship, plus a possible further points deduction for the following campaign to keep them in the second tier for another season.

This is where the EFL's input comes in as a collaborator in the punishment to ensure City serve the appropriate period out of the top flight. As a separate entity, the EFL are not compelled to go along with any punishment.

However, it's described as probable that the organisation in charge of the lower divisions would agree to extend City's sanctions. City will also be expected to pay a potentially unprecedented fine for manufacturing sponsorships and other spending breaches between 2009 and 2018.

Enzo Maresca's side almost appear to be on a form of revenge mission since the reality of their situation came to light. After a sticky start under Pep Guardiola's successor, City remain undefeated in the Premier League and have collected a perfect seven wins from seven.

They currently sit three points clear of titleholders Arsenal at the top of the table after beating Ipswich Town 3-2 on Saturday. However, they were beaten 4-2 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League as Guardiola returned to the Etihad for the first time since their guilty verdict was announced.

Numerous figures around the sport have called for the book to be thrown at City in light of their financial offences. Potential punishments that have been mentioned include being stripped of their three Premier League titles won during the years their spending offences took place.

It's been reported the Premier League would favour an automatic relegation down to League Two, the fourth tier of English football. However, this is viewed as more problematic, which is where the need for synergy alongside the EFL comes in.

At the very least, it appears increasingly likely fans will not see the club as part of the first tier next season. The main question now relates to how long that top-flight hiatus is made to last, with the EFL expected to play a massive role in that decision.

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