Two senior figures from separate elite Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News that they would be "staggered" and "astonished" if a collective of fifteen clubs voted to remove Manchester City from the competition, describing such a step as a "self‑inflicted commercial disaster." The independent commission that is investigating the club has a range of possible penalties at its disposal. Earlier this week it concluded that Manchester City breached 114 of the 115 allegations levelled against it concerning alleged financial misconduct.
In addition to expulsion, the commission could impose a hefty fine, dock points, or enforce a transfer embargo. Manchester City, for its part, maintains that it has done nothing wrong and has pledged to contest the ruling. Sky Sports News reports that talks are still ongoing among the chief executives of other Premier League sides, both within individual clubs and across the league, about how they might respond to the commission’s findings.
Many are also reviewing their own legal standing in case they wish to pursue a financial claim against Manchester City. A surprising twist has emerged: a sizable number of rival clubs view City as a cornerstone of the league’s commercial appeal both domestically and abroad. They argue that voting to expel the club would be akin to "cutting off their noses to spite their faces." One unnamed executive explained, "If City were expelled, the commercial fallout would be massive for every club in the league and would ultimately cost us a great deal of money." He added that a decision to remove City during the current or upcoming season would leave only nineteen clubs to complete the fixture list. Broadcasters in the United Kingdom and overseas would likely demand refunds because the quantity and quality of televised matches would diminish.
Sponsorship deals and other corporate revenue streams could also shrink, given that the most dominant English side of the past two decades would no longer feature in the Premier League. The ramifications would extend beyond finances. The future of marquee players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and their teammates would become uncertain, further eroding the league’s global allure.
One source summed up the sentiment, calling expulsion "a risk not worth taking." Moreover, the prospect of top clubs defying the commission’s recommended sanction could create a climate of uncertainty that would damage the league’s reputation. There is, however, a counter‑current of opinion among certain elite clubs.
Some believe that keeping Manchester City in the top flight could tarnish the competition’s brand and integrity, arguing that a prolonged absence from the Premier League—despite short‑term financial pain—might be necessary to safeguard the league’s image in the long run. These divergent views are unlikely to influence the independent commission’s decision, but they could become decisive if the clubs are called upon to vote on City’s possible expulsion.
Should the commission recommend expulsion and the Premier League clubs reject that recommendation, the situation would be unprecedented. It is unclear what further sanctions, if any, could be imposed on Manchester City in that scenario. Sky Sports News also sought perspectives from the Championship regarding the prospect of City dropping into the second tier. If City were expelled from the Premier League, the Football Association and the English Football League would decide its fate.
A vote involving all 72 clubs across both divisions would be required to determine whether City could enter the EFL and, if so, at what level. Another possible outcome is a severe points deduction that could see City relegated to the Championship. A director from a leading Championship club argued that City’s arrival in the second tier would bring no benefit and would effectively block another club’s promotion.
He said, "What benefit does the Championship get from City dropping into it? Absolutely none. Their finances are so massive they would simply steamroll the league and bounce back up immediately, killing a promotion spot for other clubs.
No other Championship side could match that level of wealth." Another Championship official stressed that any sanctioning body must consider the integrity of the entire English football pyramid, not just the Premier League. "If they are expelled from the top flight, they shouldn’t be allowed to just join the Championship automatically. That decision should be ours, and they must earn their way back up," he remarked.
A further source from the Championship cautioned against speculation, noting the current uncertainty surrounding the process. "We hope that the interests of EFL clubs are taken into account and that any outcome is fair," he said. In summary, while the independent commission holds the authority to recommend a range of punishments for Manchester City, the broader football community is deeply divided.
Some clubs fear the commercial and reputational damage that could follow an expulsion, while others argue that maintaining the league’s integrity may require decisive action against the club. The final outcome will hinge on how the commission’s recommendations intersect with the collective will of the Premier League and possibly the wider English football hierarchy.