Man City are likely to avoid a transfer ban in FFP case.
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Manchester City could face a 40-point deduction in their ongoing Financial Fair Play (FFP) case, though automatic relegation from the Premier League has been ruled out as a possible punishment.
The Situation at Manchester City
The club is currently under investigation for at least 115 FFP charges related to financial mismanagement. While a hearing has been completed, the verdict is still pending.
If found guilty, City could face points deductions, transfer bans, or other sanctions.
Despite the uncertainty, the club has been active in the January transfer window, bringing in multiple signings and securing a new 10-year contract for Erling Haaland.
This suggests they do not expect to be relegated or face major disruptions.
Expert Analysis on Possible Punishments
Football finance expert Dr. Rob Wilson, an economics professor at Sheffield Hallam University, shared his views on the case:
I don’t expect them to get relegated. I think there’ll be a hefty points deduction, which I was guessing was going to be around 50, but that was when they were right at the top of the Premier League. I think somewhere between 20 and 40 would probably be where they end up landing and probably a transfer embargo in the summer, which might explain why the January activity has been like it is.
He added that while City is likely to face penalties, it may not be severe enough to cause lasting damage to the club:
I expect them to get penalised, but it’ll be a win for Man City and it’ll be a win for the Premier League because it’ll be the biggest points deduction they’ve ever had, but it won’t be enough to really destabilise the football club.
Transfer Ban a Likely Outcome?
Dr. Wilson believes a transfer embargo is almost inevitable as part of City’s punishment:
A transfer embargo I think is almost a guarantee because they have to provide some level of sporting sanction, which then would explain why they’ve suddenly gone into the market and are signing potentially four players… Well, definitely bringing three in, I think, aren’t they? Potentially four.
He also pointed out a pattern in Premier League punishments, referencing Everton’s two separate points deductions in the same season for breaches across different financial periods.
Manchester City have been active in the January transfer window, already secured five new signings to bolster their squad.
Their latest addition is 18-year-old defender Christian McFarlane from New York City FC, a product of the City Football Group academy system.
McFarlane, an England youth international, becomes the first NYCFC homegrown player to complete the club’s development pathway and move to a Premier League side.
His signing follows the arrivals of Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, and Juma Bah, as City looks to reinforce their squad amid ongoing challenges.
How Would a 40-Point Deduction Affect City?
City currently sits fourth in the Premier League table.
A 40-point deduction would drop them to just one point for the season, leaving them at the bottom of the table, 16 points from safety, with less than half the campaign remaining.
What’s Next?
While the final verdict is still pending, City continues to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League. Their next match is a crucial Champions League clash against Club Brugge on January 29.
If the Premier League imposes a historic points deduction, it will be a defining moment for both Manchester City and English football.