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When it comes to EPL domination in the last decade or so, Manchester City are in a class of their own. Now imagine the same giants playing in the second division. Not for one season, but two straight seasons as a relegated team. Sounds far-fetched, right? Well, believe it or not, it could happen.
City are reportedly looking at a disciplinary verdict that could see them out of the EPL for two seasons in-a-row. This comes in the wake of an independent commission finding the club guilty in 114 out of 115 charges of financial corruption. As per the Daily Mail, the EPL is aiming to get this over before the City's official appeal process is complete. When and if it happens, European football will receive a hard hit.
© X/Premier League
The verdict came after a long into City's financial conduct from 2009 to 2018. The punishment that is set to take place is way beyond a standard fine or minor penalty of points. The scale of the alleged fraud has led to the odds of the club being hit with a sanction that will remove City from the 1st division completely.
The club is still saying it is innocent and has 'irrefutable proof' of such a claim. But the governing body looks ready to act on systemic breaches of financial regulations that have been found in the investigation. It is not a mere slap on the wrist and can change the balance of the EPL after years of the competition being dominated by City.
© X/Premier League
The punishment is such that City would be demoted right away and be in the Championship for two years. That would be a real fall for grace for a club that has dominated the 1st tier of English football ever since their began winning EPL titles almost at will.
Manchester City has won 10 English top-flight league titles in total. This includes eight EPL (2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24) and two old First Division titles (1936–37, 1967–68). They have also won eight FA Cups (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023, 2026) and one Champions League (2022-23).