There are already reports that Premier League clubs up and down the table are frustrated about not knowing what City are likely to be fighting for - if anything at all - this season.

Take Arsenal, for instance: should they be gearing up for a title challenge, or will City be battling against the likes of Fulham and Coventry to avoid the drop?

If the latest Daily Mail report is to be believed, there’s every chance none of it will matter anyway, given the Premier League are pushing for a points deduction that will see City relegated regardless.

It’s worth noting that the Premier League can want one thing, while the independent commission may decide on something else after the sanction hearing. Plus, City have appealed the initial verdict in the meantime.

Given the severity of the verdict, though, the chances are City’s punishment will see them spend at least one season out of England’s top flight.

There can and should be a conversation about what - or rather who - the Premier League’s financial rules serve, but ultimately, if rules were broken, and at this volume, City ought to be punished.

And a season outside of the top flight (likely at least two outside of the Champions League) would certainly punish City. There is a school of thought that anything other than expulsion would represent City getting ‘off the hook’ somewhat. Nonsense.

Not to mention the rumoured other part of the punishment, where the Premier League are said to be pushing for the EFL to administer a second points deduction, which would effectively confine City to at least two seasons in the second tier.

Admittedly, it’s difficult to see how that one gets pushed through, given the complexities of administering cross-competition punishments. But make no mistake about it: City being sent down to the Championship would be an unmitigated disaster.