Two senior figures from different high‑profile Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News that they would be "staggered" and "astonished" if a vote were ever taken to remove Manchester City from the competition. They argue that such a step would amount to a "self‑inflicted commercial disaster" for the league as a whole. The independent commission that has been investigating City’s alleged financial misconduct has a range of penalties at its disposal. Earlier this week it concluded that Manchester City had breached 114 of the 115 charges lodged against it.
While expulsion is the most extreme sanction, the commission could also impose a hefty fine, deduct points from the club’s tally, or enforce a transfer embargo. Manchester City have consistently maintained that they did nothing wrong and have pledged to appeal the findings. In the meantime, Sky Sports News reports that discussions are still ongoing among the chief executives of other Premier League clubs, both individually and collectively, about how they might respond to the commission’s recommendations. Some clubs are even weighing the possibility of launching a legal claim to recover any financial losses they believe could arise from City’s alleged wrongdoing.
A surprising twist has emerged from these conversations: many rival clubs view Manchester City as a cornerstone of the Premier League’s commercial appeal, both domestically and abroad. If those clubs were to vote for City’s expulsion, they would essentially be "cutting off their noses to spite their faces," according to one unnamed executive.
He explained that removing the most successful and marketable team would have massive commercial repercussions for every other club, ultimately costing them a great deal of money. He went on to outline the practical fallout of such a decision. Should City be expelled during the current or the next season, the league would be left with only 19 clubs to complete the schedule. Broadcasters, who have paid substantial sums for the rights to air a full slate of matches, would likely demand refunds or renegotiate contracts because the product would be less attractive and the number of games would be reduced.
Sponsorship deals and other corporate revenue streams could also shrink, as advertisers often rely on the global reach and high‑profile nature of the league’s marquee clubs, with Manchester City being a prime example. Beyond the financial side, the expulsion would throw the futures of star players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and other top talents into uncertainty. Their presence is a major draw for viewers worldwide, and losing them would further diminish the league’s commercial allure.
One source summed up the sentiment by calling expulsion "a risk not worth taking." There is also a strategic dimension to consider. Some of the league’s biggest clubs believe that keeping City in the Premier League could tarnish the competition’s brand and integrity, arguing that a prolonged absence from the top flight might be necessary to preserve the league’s global reputation. However, these clubs acknowledge that such a move would inflict short‑term financial pain on everyone involved.
The independent commission’s decision will not be directly affected by the differing opinions among Premier League clubs, but those opinions could become relevant if a vote on expulsion is ever required. If the commission were to recommend that City be expelled and the clubs subsequently voted against that recommendation, the situation would be unprecedented. It is unclear what, if any, further sanctions could be imposed on the club under those circumstances. Sky Sports News also sought the perspective of clubs from the Championship regarding the hypothetical scenario of City dropping into the second tier.
Should an expulsion be enacted, the Football Association and the English Football League would decide City’s fate, potentially requiring a vote from all 72 clubs across the two divisions to determine where – and if – City would be placed. One senior director from a top‑flight Championship side argued that City’s arrival in the second division would bring no benefit to the league.
He warned that the club’s massive financial resources would dwarf those of existing Championship clubs, allowing City to dominate and likely secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League. This, he said, would effectively eliminate a promotion spot for other clubs and upset the competitive balance. Another Championship official emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the entire English football pyramid. He stressed that any decision on sanctions should consider the broader ecosystem, not just the Premier League’s interests.
"If they are expelled from the top tier, they shouldn’t be able to simply drop into the Championship without earning their place," he said. A third source from the Championship expressed uncertainty about the process, noting that the situation remains fluid and speculative. He hoped that the interests of EFL clubs would be taken into account and that any outcome would be fair and transparent.
In summary, while the independent commission possesses the authority to impose severe penalties on Manchester City, the prospect of expulsion remains highly contentious. Executives from both the Premier League and the Championship recognize the profound commercial and sporting implications of such a move.
The prevailing view among many senior officials is that the financial fallout, loss of star players, and potential destabilisation of the league’s brand outweigh any perceived benefits of removing the club. As discussions continue, the ultimate decision will hinge on a delicate balance between upholding the integrity of English football and preserving the economic engine that drives it.