Rival clubs want retrospective and future punishments for Man City

What the report says

A number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to face punishments that reach both into the past and into future seasons, according to BBC Sport sources. The discussion follows an independent commission’s finding that City were guilty of breaches of the league’s financial rules across the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. City have appealed against that verdict, so any sanction would depend on the next stages of the process.

BBC Sport reports that some rival clubs believe a penalty limited to one season would not reflect the scale of the case. Among the ideas being discussed are points deductions spread across more than one campaign, as well as transfer restrictions that could affect several windows. Some executives also want the punishment to address what happened during the years when the breaches are said to have occurred, not only City’s future competitiveness.

There is also disagreement over titles won during the period in question. One senior source said the club should lose honours, though not necessarily see them handed to another team, while other clubs are less keen on that approach. BBC Sport says there is no firm agreement across the league, and some boardrooms feel they are being left without enough detail about the timetable for appeals and possible sanctions.

The report comes as City prepare for their next Premier League match at Liverpool, their first fixture since the verdict became public. As background, the case is significant because any outcome could affect competitive balance, club governance and the league’s credibility, while the legal and disciplinary process continues.