Two senior officials from separate high‑profile Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News that they would be "staggered" and "astonished" if a collective of fifteen clubs ever voted to remove Manchester City from the competition. They argue that such a decision would amount to a "self‑inflicted commercial disaster" for the league as a whole.
The independent commission that has been investigating the club’s financial practices has a menu of possible penalties at its disposal. Earlier this week it concluded that Manchester City had breached 114 of the 115 alleged violations concerning alleged financial mismanagement. The range of sanctions includes a hefty fine, a points deduction, a transfer embargo, and, as a last resort, expulsion from the Premier League. Manchester City have consistently maintained their innocence and have pledged to appeal any adverse ruling.
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 any new developments. Several clubs are reportedly reviewing their own legal standing in case they wish to pursue a financial claim against City should the sanctions be severe. A surprising twist to the story is the growing consensus among many rival clubs that Manchester City is a cornerstone of the league’s commercial appeal, both domestically and internationally. One unnamed executive warned that voting to expel City would be "cutting off their noses to spite their faces," because the financial fallout would be shared by every other club.
"If City were expelled, the commercial repercussions would be massive for everyone in the league and would ultimately cost the other clubs a great deal of money," he told Sky Sports News. He elaborated that a decision to remove City during the current or the next season would leave the schedule with only nineteen clubs completing the remaining fixtures. Broadcasters in the United Kingdom and abroad would likely demand refunds or renegotiated deals because the number of televised matches – and their overall attractiveness – would be reduced dramatically.
Sponsorship deals and other corporate revenue streams could also shrink across the board, given that the most dominant English club of the past two decades would no longer be part of the product that advertisers pay to reach. The potential loss of marquee players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and other stars would further erode the Premier League’s global brand value. One source summed up the sentiment by calling expulsion "a risk not worth taking" for the league’s commercial health.
Beyond the financial dimension, there is also the issue of precedent and governance. If top clubs were to reject the commission’s recommended sanction and vote against expulsion, it would create an unprecedented scenario.
The independent commission’s decision would remain unchanged, but the clubs’ vote could force the league into uncharted legal territory, leaving it unclear what further penalties, if any, could be imposed on Manchester City. Some clubs, however, argue that allowing City to remain would damage the competition’s integrity and brand image in the long term.
They contend that a prolonged absence from the top flight, even at the cost of short‑term revenue loss, might be necessary to preserve the league’s reputation worldwide. This viewpoint reflects a deeper split within the Premier League hierarchy about the balance between commercial interests and the perceived need to uphold ethical standards.
If the commission were to recommend expulsion and the clubs voted against it, the situation would be unprecedented. No clear mechanism exists for imposing an alternative punishment, leaving the league in a legal grey area. Conversely, if the clubs endorse the commission’s recommendation, the next step would be to determine where, if anywhere, Manchester City would be placed within the English football pyramid.
Should expulsion be confirmed, the Football Association (FA) and the English Football League (EFL) would assume responsibility for City’s future placement. A vote involving all 72 clubs across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two would be required to decide whether City could enter the Championship directly or would have to start lower down the ladder. A majority decision would be needed, and the outcome would set a historic precedent for how the English game handles severe financial breaches. An alternative sanction that has been floated is a severe points deduction, potentially enough to relegate Manchester City to the Championship.
A director from a top Championship club expressed the view that City’s drop into the second tier would bring no benefit to that division. "What benefit does the Championship get from City joining? Absolutely none," he said. "Their finances are so massive they would simply dominate the league, win promotion straight away and wipe out a promotion spot for other clubs.
No other Championship side could compete with that level of wealth." Another Championship official emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the entire English football pyramid, not just the Premier League. "Anyone deciding on sanctions must think about the whole structure, not only the top flight," he warned.
"If City were expelled from the Premier League, they shouldn't be allowed to drop straight into the Championship without earning their place. They should have to work their way back up, just like any other club." A third source from the Championship added that the situation remains highly uncertain and that speculation is rampant.
"We are not in a position to comment on the process," he said. "There is a lot of uncertainty, but we hope that the interests of the EFL clubs are taken into account and that any decision is made fairly." In summary, the debate over Manchester City’s possible expulsion has revealed a stark division among English clubs.
On one side are those who see City as an essential commercial engine whose removal would jeopardise broadcasting contracts, sponsorship revenue and the global appeal of the Premier League. On the other side are clubs that prioritize the league’s ethical standing and long‑term brand health, even if it means short‑term financial pain. The independent commission’s final recommendation, the reaction of the Premier League clubs, and the subsequent actions of the FA and EFL will together shape a historic moment in English football, with repercussions that could echo through the entire pyramid for years to come.