Two senior figures from different high‑profile Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News that they would be "staggered" and "astonished" if a majority of the 20 clubs in the division were prepared to vote for the removal of Manchester City. They argue that such a decision would amount to a "self‑inflicted commercial disaster" for the league as a whole. The independent commission that is investigating the club’s alleged financial irregularities has a range of sanctions at its disposal. In addition to the most severe option—expulsion from the Premier League—it can impose a hefty fine, deduct points from the club’s tally, or place a transfer embargo on the side.
Earlier this week the commission concluded that Manchester City had been found guilty of 114 out of the 115 charges that were brought against it, a verdict the club has vehemently denied. City maintains that it is innocent and has pledged to appeal the findings. According to sources, conversations are still ongoing among the chief executives of the other Premier League clubs. They are weighing how best to respond to the commission’s recommendations and are also assessing their own legal standing should they consider launching a financial claim against Manchester City.
The dialogue is not limited to a single club; rather, it involves a network of discussions both within individual clubs and across the league. A surprising twist has emerged in these talks: many rival clubs view Manchester City as a cornerstone of the Premier League’s commercial appeal, both domestically and internationally.
One unnamed executive told Sky Sports News that voting to expel the club would be akin to "cutting off their noses to spite their faces." He explained that the presence of a globally recognised brand like City drives broadcast revenue, sponsorship deals, and fan engagement. Removing that brand would therefore have "massive commercial consequences for everyone in the league" and would ultimately cost the other clubs a substantial amount of money. The executive went on to illustrate the practical ramifications of an expulsion. If the decision were taken during the current season or the next, the league would be reduced to 19 clubs for the remainder of the campaign.
Broadcasters in the United Kingdom and abroad, who have paid premium fees to televise a full slate of 380 matches, would likely demand refunds or renegotiated contracts because the product would be less attractive and the total number of games would be reduced. Sponsorship and other corporate revenue streams could also shrink, as advertisers would lose exposure to the marquee fixtures that feature Manchester City’s star players and high‑profile clashes. Beyond the financial fallout, the expulsion would throw the futures of several of the world’s most marketable footballers into uncertainty.
Players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and other marquee names could see their contracts, endorsement deals, and even their competitive trajectories jeopardised. This, in turn, would diminish the league’s global appeal and could make the sanction "a risk not worth taking," according to the same source.
There is also a strategic dimension to the debate. Some top‑flight clubs believe that retaining Manchester City in the Premier League could be damaging to the competition’s brand and integrity over the long term.
They argue that a prolonged period outside the top division for City—despite the short‑term financial pain it would cause—might be necessary to preserve the league’s reputation and to send a clear message about compliance with financial regulations. This viewpoint reflects a broader concern about maintaining a level playing field and protecting the sport’s image on the world stage.
Regardless of the differing opinions among the clubs, the independent commission’s decision will not be directly altered by internal league politics. However, the sentiment of the clubs could become a factor if a vote on expulsion is ever required.
Should the commission recommend removal and the clubs collectively reject that recommendation, the situation would be unprecedented. It is unclear what, if any, further penalties could be imposed on Manchester City under such circumstances. Sky Sports News also explored the potential ripple effects in the lower tiers of English football.
If Manchester City were expelled from the Premier League, its fate would be decided by the Football Association (FA) and the English Football League (EFL). A vote involving all 72 clubs across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two would be necessary to determine whether City would be placed directly into the Championship or have to start lower in the pyramid. The prospect of a points deduction severe enough to cause relegation to the Championship was also discussed.
A director from a leading Championship club expressed the view that City’s descent into the second tier would bring no benefit to the league. He argued that the club’s financial resources are so vast that they would quickly dominate the competition and likely secure promotion back to the top flight, thereby robbing other clubs of a genuine promotion opportunity. "The finances are so big they'll just blow the Championship away and go straight back up," he said, emphasizing that this would effectively eliminate a promotion spot for other aspiring clubs.
Another Championship official highlighted the importance of preserving the integrity of the entire English football pyramid. He warned that any sanction should not be designed solely with the Premier League in mind, but must consider the health of the whole system. "It shouldn't be the case that if they are expelled from the Premier League they can just join the Championship," he remarked, insisting that City should have to earn its way back up through competitive merit.
A further source from the Championship cautioned against speculation, noting the high level of uncertainty surrounding the process. He stressed the need for the interests of EFL clubs to be taken into account fairly, acknowledging that the outcome remains unknown. In summary, while the independent commission holds the authority to recommend a range of punishments for Manchester City, the broader football community is grappling with the potential commercial, sporting and reputational consequences of the most extreme sanction—expulsion. The debate underscores the delicate balance between enforcing financial discipline and protecting the commercial engine that powers the Premier League and its surrounding ecosystem.