# Rival clubs demand harsher punishment for Manchester City

> Rival clubs push for severe sanctions after Manchester City's financial rule breaches.
- Title: Rival clubs demand harsher punishment for Manchester City
- Summary: Rival clubs push for severe sanctions after Manchester City's financial rule breaches. Premier League rivals argue relegating Manchester City to Championship…
- Keywords: premier league, manchester city, championship, financial rule breaches, relegation, points deduction, independent commission, legal costs, arbitration hearing, club appeal, sports, Rival
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/30/rival-clubs-feel-relegating-manchester-city-championship-not-enough-premier-league
- Published: 2026-09-30T18:55:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: premier league, manchester city, championship, financial rule breaches, relegation, points deduction, independent commission, legal costs, arbitration hearing, club appeal, sports
## Rival clubs push for harsh sanctions
Premier League rivals demand severe punishment for Manchester City after the club was found guilty of over 100 financial rule breaches.

> Rival clubs feel relegating Manchester City to Championship would not be enough
## City accused of disguised funding scheme
The independent commission found Manchester City inflated income by £900m between 2009 and 2018 through sham commercial deals.

> disguised funding scheme
## Premier League faces pressure for severe sanctions
Rival clubs argue a single-season relegation would be insufficient given the scale of City's financial rule-breaking.

> Relegation to the Championship for one season would be insufficient
## Sanctions hearing timeline
The sanctions hearing must conclude by end of January next year after the appeal deadline on Friday.

> the appeal hearing must be concluded within 12 weeks of the deadline on Friday
## City's legal costs and appeal
Manchester City could be forced to pay up to £50m in legal costs and may delay sanctions by arguing new rules don't apply to historic charges.

> City could be forced to pay Premier League up to £50m in legal costs
## Premier League board decision
The Premier League board will decide sanctions independently with chair Alison Brittain and chief executive Richard Masters.

> The Premier League board comprises chair Alison Brittain, chief executive Richard Masters, and three independent directors
## Historic precedent for sanctions
Everton was docked 12 points initially but reduced to six after appeal for a £19.5m overspend.

> Everton was docked 12 points initially but reduced to six after appeal
## Key takeaway

Premier League rivals argue relegating Manchester City to Championship for one season is insufficient punishment for their alleged £900m financial rule-breaking scheme.