Pep Guardiola's side could face a huge points deduction and/or fine if the the club is found guilty (Image: Getty)
Manchester City face the prospect of a "massive points deduction" as the Premier League champions await their hearing over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules, according to ex-Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray. City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023, leading to widespread speculation about the potential consequences for the club, with a hearing to finally take place this autumn.
The possibility of a points deduction or even relegation have been discussed as potential outcomes if they are found guilty, with City having maintained their innocence. And former Aston Villa forward Gray has predicted that the club could face the former if they are found guilty.
Discussing the issue llive on beIN Sports with long-time colleague Richard Keys, Gray expressed his belief that the club would not have titles taken off them, but he went on an impassioned rant about how he could see the Premier League imposing a significant points deduction.
After Keys noted that a verdict was likely at the start of next year, Gray said: "What will happen? I imagine, and I don't know, I imagine it'll be along the lines of a points deduction, a massive one."
When his Keys pointed out that this was dependent on City being found guilty, Gray responded: "They will be found guilty. There's 115 charges and they're not going to be innocent of all of them.
"I think we both know that. Well, without the independent tribunal, they wouldn't be charging them if there wasn't some evidence surrounding them there that suggested they might be guilty.
"I don't think they'll take titles away from them, so what can they do? They can take points away from them now, they can fine them.
"Fining them? Who cares. They can fine them as much as they want, it doesn't matter to Manchester City, they can pay that out of their back pocket. The only thing I can see is a massive points deduction and a massive fine."
Pep Guardiola is relieved that the long-awaited hearing into the club's conduct is finally imminent. Speaking ahead of his side's 4-1 win over Ipswich, he said: "I am happy it starts soon and hopefully it finishes soon for the benefit of all of us. Especially for the club, but for all the other Premier League clubs, like for all the people that don't wait for the sentence.
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"I wish from deep in my heart to go to the trial, the independent panel - and I say it again, independent panel - and as soon as possible release what happened, and we will accept like always we have done."
Asked if he felt the trial could have an impact on the team, Guardiola replied: "No, we have been three or four years talking about that. We know it is going to happen, we accept it and focus on our matches."
