Manchester City Linked to Nottingham Forest’s 4-Point Deduction Due to Financial Breach: Is Pep Guardiola’s Side Finally Facing Punishment for 115 Alleged Breaches?

The English Premier League title race has seen Manchester City struggle lately. They are currently the 3rd seed and have a worse goal difference than Liverpool and Arsenal, who lead the title race. However, City can still bounce back as they have done so in the past. But what if the league strips the club of the points they have already earned? This question now rocks the Sky Blues’ fandom, after the club was mentioned twice in a report on Nottingham Forest’s Profit and Sustainability Rules breach. Notably, the EPL deducted 4 points from the Tricky Trees’ tally for breaching the PSR rules.

It is safe to say that Pep Guardiola and his men need not worry about Manchester City’s mention in the EPL’s report on Forest. City’s mention is only in connection with Forest’s sale of Brennan Johnson. They sold Brennan Johnson to Tottenham after the transfer deadline, citing negotiations with clubs including Man City delayed the transfer, as per Manchester Evening News. However, since the EPL stripped the Nuno Espirito Santo-led side of 4 points and Everton of 10 points (reduced to 6), Manchester City’s alleged 115 Financial Fairplay breaches have now become the talk of the town in soccer circles. So, what’s the latest on it?

Manchester City was charged with 115 FFP breaches last February following a 4-year investigation. The charges revolve around several alleged breaches committed across nine seasons (2009-10 to 2017-18). The league authorities have accused the club of not cooperating with the investigation. Besides, Pep Guardiola’s side has also been accused of providing false data on its financials during the said period. Anyhow, the EPL has yet to prove them guilty. If proven, and that’s a big if, the reigning treble winners would face immensely serious punishments.

What potential punishments does Pep Guardiola’s side risk?

City won 3 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups, and an FA Cup during the 9 seasons that came under EPL’s investigation. If City is guilty of those 115 charges, the league could strip the club of these prestigious titles! The next most probable scenario is the league authorities deducting Manchester’s points. Meanwhile, there’s also a chance that the English League will downgrade Pep Guardiola’s side to a lower pyramid of the league system.

Anyhow, the club has tried to maintain its innocence, citing they have a ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence‘. The club has also welcomed the independent commission tasked with dealing with their case. Besides, City’s hearing will take place only towards the end of the ongoing season. This means Guardiola and Co. can wait another year to hear the verdict on the fiasco.

Do share your thoughts on this in the comments below.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola Set To Hijack Manchester United’s Attempt To Escape $12M+ Loss: Reports