Ahead of Manchester City's court battle with the Premier League for allegedly breaching financial rules beginning on Monday, The Telegraph claims top-flight sides feel a single points deduction would be insufficient punishment if they are found guilty. Even if that points deduction were to lead to relegation to the Championship it would reportedly be deemed as not enough, with one 'senior figure' in football proposing points being docked across multiple campaigns to stop them from challenging for trophies and rising straight back into the top-flight.

This case has been branded as City's 'Trial of the Century', with the hearing expected to last 10 weeks. The Cityzens were initially charged by the Premier League back in February 2023 but their alleged offences cover a period between 2009-18. In that time they won a host of Premier League crowns and other domestic trophies; so this case may throw their legacy into question. If they were relegated, stripped of titles, or not punished at all, it would send shockwaves around the footballing world.

The Telegraph claims the independent commission that is sitting in judgement on the case has no power to relegate City from the Premier League because it has no jurisdiction over the English Football League or National League. If City were found guilty and subsequently expelled from the Premier League, they would have to apply to enter the EFL - who would be under no obligation to make them a member.

While proceedings over this mammoth case will get underway this week, Pep Guardiola's men - who are trying to focus on footballing matters at present - are preparing for their Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday night.