Relegation, titles stripped, points deduction - Man City charges punishment hint already clear

Despite the noise made by Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal fans (among others), Manchester City's high profile hearing with the Premier League is not comparable to that of Everton, Nottingham Forest, or Leicester City. This is both good and bad.

On the positive side, there is no footballing precedent relating to the 115 alleged breaches. Although some of the claims are profitability and sustainability (PSR) related, the bigger allegation is effectively of fraud, lying, and cheating.

Unlike Everton and Forest, who both went over the clearly defined £105million allowed-loss threshold for a rolling three-year period, City are charged with malpractice, attempting to pull the wool over the league's eyes, and actively seeking an unfair advantage rather than just being a bit reckless with spending.

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This means that translating the initial 10-point points deduction (later reduced to six) for Everton into a City punishment is not worthwhile. Everton accepted that they went over the line, and provided mitigation for why it happened, but didn't protest their accounts.

Forest took more of a fight but were still sanctioned. City, however, have hit back fully and deny any of the Premier League's suggestions.

Looking at the picture two ways once more, on one hand the league has previously failed to get the desired punishment passed (having Everton's lowered and then Leicester let off on a technicality), which provides optimism should City be found guilty. There is feasibly no limit to just how strong they could try and come down