Manchester City are reportedly in danger of being thrown out of more than just the Premier League if they are found guilty of serious breaches of its financial rules.
City have vehemently denied the accusations and have expressed their intent to fight against the charges brought upon them by the Premier League.
City were first charged by the Premier League in February 2023 – with 115 alleged breaches of their Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules between 2009 and 2018. After some confusion, it was later revealed that the Etihad club were actually facing 130 charges from the top-flight amid initial errors in reporting.
Since then, the football world has been waiting for an update on when the hearing into these breaches would begin. City have always strongly refuted the allegations thrown at them and claim they have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to clear their name.
But now, according to a report by the Telegraph, City would be at risk of being expelled from both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and there is no certainty they would be able to continue to play in the Champions League or at the Club World Cup either if they are found guilty of serious breaches of its financial rules.
The rules of the two domestic cup competitions raise the prospect of City’s elimination from the game being extended beyond the Premier League.
Clause 31 of the FA Cup rules states: “Where a club has been admitted to participate in the competition but is then removed from the league in which it competes (or its league fixtures are suspended), the Professional Game Board [PGB] may remove the club from the competition.
The PGB is made up of representatives of the Premier League and English Football League. Champions League rules appear to be more complicated, however.
Teams require a UEFA club licence to play in European competitions. UEFA, the FA and the Premier League have roles in the administration of such licences and so far, it has been uncertain whether expulsion from a domestic league could be grounds for withdrawal.
As for the Club World Cup, which City qualified for after winning the Champions League last year, there is no public information available on their regulations.
However, if City are thrown out of domestic football, it would be very difficult for them to continue participating in the Champions League and Club World Cup given the long gaps they would have between games.
