With 115 charges decision approaching – could man city’s premier league titles be stripped?

Every Premier League fan knows that Manchester City are currently facing 115 charges relating to financial fair play breaches between 2009 and 2018, and in recent days a verdict feels close. 

But, what could the possible outcomes be if City are found guilty, and who would stand to benefit?

The 115 charges against Manchester City could reshape the Premier League

In recent times, City have enjoyed a stranglehold over the Premier League, scooping up the title more times than all other clubs put together. 

Sure, they have the weight of an oil-rich Emirate behind them, but the football on the park has been impressive. 

There have been other winners, but this period of football history will almost certainly go down as the ‘Man City era’. 

However, it could be for more reasons than their success on the park. 

During this period, City stand accused of breaching financial rules, and those breaches – 115, as you already know – could lead to a variety of punishments. 

Heavy fines for a start, although what impact would fines realistically have on a club that has all the money in the world?

Points deductions and relegation could be a realistic option too, especially given the severity and number of charges. 

Again, City would likely bounce back after a blip and be competing at the top again within a year or two. 

So then, what could a real punishment look like?

Could the Premier League rewrite the history books and strip league titles from the Citizens? 

Who would benefit from City’s Premier League titles being stripped?

Perhaps the most embarrassing punishment, and the most impactful, would be sending the titles a short drive across Manchester to their closest and fiercest rivals, Manchester United. 

United finished second three times during the period covered by the charges, so would become the ‘official’ winners of the league in those years if it were decided that City had cheated. 

Liverpool – City’s closest rivals in the league for many years – would also receive three more trophies.

The last two titles during the period concerned would go to Arsenal. 

If you were a fan of those clubs, would you want them, though? 

How likely is it that the titles will be stripped?

Well, it entirely depends on how many charges City are found guilty of, if any. 

It also then depends on how the Premier League chooses to proceed. 

It could be that they deduct points going forward, even relegate City from the division, so the punishment looks to the future rather than affecting the past. 

However, it’s not out of the question that the titles could be reallocated, although it potentially poses as many questions as answers. 

There is certainly no precedent for stripping league titles in English football, but look onto mainland Europe and there are examples. 

In 2004-5 Juventus were stripped of their Serie A title after the fallout from the Calciopoli scandal. 

No official champion was recorded for that year. 

However, in 2005-6 Inter Milan were named as the champions, finishing third in the league – AC Milan were also punished. 

That was a match-fixing scandal, though – a little different. 

With a decision seemingly approaching, but not yet clear, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to learn City’s fate. 

All options still remain on the table.