Man City relegation 'precedent' emerges amid 115 charges with hearing date set

The Premier League could cite Swindon Town’s enforced top-flight relegation in 1990 as a legal benchmark for Manchester City’s punishment should they be found guilty of finance breaches, it has been claimed.

Swindon - who had just won promotion from the second tier - were demoted two divisions after being found to have illegitimately funnelled revenue towards player wages. Upon appeal, the Robins had their penalty reduced to a one-division relegation.

Given the unprecedented scale of the case relating to the Premier League’s 115 charges against Man City, it is thought relegation could be a possibility if the club is found guilty. The Blues are charged with illicit finance sourcing and uncooperation for matters between 2009 and 2018 - allegations City deny in full, and have vowed to clear their name of.

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The hearing before an independent panel is due to start in November and is expected to last for around six weeks, excluding any appeals.

The Times moots that the Premier League could use Swindon’s case from 24 years ago as a benchmark for what punishment City could be handed if they are ultimately found at fault for breaching finance rules.

The independent panel for Everton’s appeal over their 10-point deduction referenced previous EFL penalty guidelines as a benchmark when reducing the sanction to six points.

Meanwhile, Man City are in a separate legal battle with the Premier League over Associated Party Transaction [APT] rules, claiming they are unlawful and are suing for damages.

These regulations state that the League has