Two senior figures from separate high‑profile Premier League clubs have told Sky Sports News that they would be "staggered" and "astonished" if a collective vote by fifteen clubs were to result in Manchester City’s expulsion from the competition. They argue that such a drastic step would amount to a "self‑inflicted commercial disaster" for the league as a whole.
The independent commission that is currently reviewing the case has a range of sanctions at its disposal. In addition to expulsion, it could impose a hefty fine, deduct points from City’s tally, or place a transfer embargo on the club. Earlier this week the commission concluded that Manchester City had breached 114 of the 115 allegations relating to alleged financial mismanagement.
The club, however, maintains its innocence and has pledged to appeal the findings. According to sources, discussions are still ongoing among the chief executives and chairpersons of other Premier League outfits. They are weighing how best to respond to the commission’s recommendations and are also assessing their own legal standing in the event that they decide to pursue a financial claim against Manchester City for any alleged wrongdoing. In a surprising twist, many rival clubs appear to view City as a cornerstone of the league’s commercial appeal both domestically and abroad.
One unnamed executive explained to Sky Sports News that voting to expel the club would be "cutting off their noses to spite their faces." He warned that removing Manchester City would trigger "massive commercial consequences for everyone in the league" and would ultimately cost the other clubs a great deal of revenue. If City were expelled during the current season or the next, the Premier League would be reduced to nineteen participants. Broadcasters, who have paid substantial sums for the rights to televise a full slate of matches, would likely demand refunds or renegotiated deals because the product would be less attractive with one fewer high‑profile team.
Sponsorship agreements and other corporate funding streams could also suffer, as the dominant club of the past two decades contributes significantly to the league’s brand value and viewership numbers. The potential fallout would not be limited to television money.
The futures of star players such as Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and other marquee names would be thrown into uncertainty. Their presence is a key driver of global interest, and without them the league’s marketability could decline sharply. One source summed up the risk succinctly, calling expulsion "a risk not worth taking." There is also the matter of precedent. If the independent commission recommends expulsion and the clubs collectively reject that recommendation, it would be an unprecedented scenario.
No clear framework exists for what penalties, if any, could then be levied on Manchester City, leaving the situation legally murky. Within the Premier League, opinions are divided.
Some top clubs believe that keeping City in the competition could tarnish the league’s reputation for fairness and integrity, arguing that a prolonged absence from the top flight might be necessary to preserve the sport’s global image. Others contend that the short‑term financial pain of losing City would outweigh any perceived long‑term benefits. Should the commission move beyond expulsion, a points deduction is also on the table.
A severe enough deduction could see Manchester City relegated to the Championship. This possibility has sparked a separate debate among clubs outside the top tier.
Directors from several Championship sides have voiced strong reservations about the idea of City dropping into their division. One Championship director argued that the league would gain "absolutely no" benefit from City’s arrival, noting that the club’s financial muscle would dwarf that of any existing Championship side.
"The finances are so big they'll just blow the Championship away and go straight back up," he warned, adding that it would effectively eliminate a promotion spot for other clubs. He emphasized that no current Championship club could realistically compete with City’s resources. Another voice from the second tier stressed the importance of preserving the integrity of the entire English football pyramid. He said that any decision on sanctions must consider the broader ecosystem, not just the Premier League.
"It shouldn't be the case that if they are expelled from the Premier League they can just join the Championship. That should be for us to decide.
They should have to earn their way back up English football," he asserted. A further source from the Championship expressed uncertainty about the process, noting that speculation is rampant and that clubs are hoping their interests will be treated fairly. "There's a lot of uncertainty and speculation at the moment. But really no‑one knows what's going to happen.
I just hope that our [EFL clubs'] interests are considered and treated fairly," the source said. If expulsion were to occur, the responsibility for determining Manchester City’s next destination would fall to the FA and the EFL.
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 EFL and, if so, at what level. A majority decision would be needed, making the outcome highly unpredictable.
In summary, while the independent commission’s findings place Manchester City in a precarious position, the reaction of other clubs—both in the Premier League and the lower divisions—will shape the final outcome. The commercial stakes are enormous, the legal complexities are significant, and the sporting implications could reverberate throughout English football for years to come.