A group of Premier League clubs are pushing for Manchester City to face punishments that stretch both backwards and forwards in time, should the club's appeal against their financial rule-breaking verdict prove unsuccessful. Sources have told BBC Sport that a consensus is forming among several top-flight boardrooms that a simple points deduction leading to relegation would fall well short of what the situation demands.

An independent commission recently found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations across a nine-season period from 2009-10 to 2017-18. City have lodged an appeal against that verdict, and the club's hierarchy has continued to maintain their innocence. But with that appeal still to be resolved, the noises out of rival boardrooms are growing louder by the day.

Stripping Titles On the Table

At least one senior club source has told BBC Sport that City should be stripped of the eight major Premier League trophies won during the period they have been found guilty. That source added there was no great rush to redistribute those honours — the preference, rather, would be to leave titles vacant than hand them elsewhere. The argument is clear: allow City to keep those trophies and the credibility of the Premier League is fundamentally damaged.

It should be noted, however, that opinion across the league is not uniform. BBC Sport has previously reported that several clubs have little appetite for title stripping, underscoring the range of views among the twenty top-flight members.

Multi-Season Sanctions and Transfer Bans

On the question of future penalties, there is a strong feeling among at least four Premier League boardrooms that a one-season points deduction resulting in relegation would amount to little more than a speed bump — given City's financial muscle and their likely ability to bounce straight back up from the Championship at the first attempt.

The preferred approach among a number of clubs is to spread any points deduction across multiple seasons, ensuring that the punishment genuinely disrupts City's trajectory rather than merely inconveniencing them for a campaign. Alongside that, transfer bans spanning several windows are seen as another meaningful lever — one that would hamper City's ability to rebuild quickly following any relegation.

One club source went further, calling it "bizarre, almost obtuse" if City were permitted to operate in the January transfer window while sanctions remained unapplied and the appeal process continued.

A Tariff-Based Reparations System

Perhaps the most striking idea to emerge is what one source described as a "tariff-based system" for financial reparations. Under this model, City's historical league finishing positions would be recalculated after applying the relevant points deductions. Clubs that finished below City but would have ranked higher under corrected standings could then receive compensation payments from City directly.

At least one club source said they found genuine merit in the proposal, though it would require significant legal and structural work to implement.

Clubs Feel Left in the Dark

Several clubs have expressed frustration at being kept in the dark over the process — particularly regarding the timeline for City's appeal and when a sanctions hearing might take place. Sources described feeling uncertain about the chronology of events, though the same sources acknowledged there was empathy for the difficult position the Premier League finds itself in given the unprecedented scale of this case.

Meanwhile, attention briefly turns to the pitch. City travel to Anfield this Sunday — kick-off 16:30 — for their first Premier League fixture since the guilty verdict landed. Manager Enzo Maresca is expected to address his squad collectively on Thursday when players return from international duty. Merseyside Police has confirmed an appropriate policing operation will be in place, while sources at Liverpool describe it as business as usual at their end.

Frequently asked

What punishments do rival clubs want for Manchester City?
Rival clubs want a combination of retrospective punishments — including potential title stripping — and future sanctions such as multi-season points deductions and transfer bans spanning several windows, according to BBC Sport sources.
Could Manchester City be stripped of their Premier League titles?
It has been raised by at least one senior club source, who believes City's titles won between 2009-10 and 2017-18 should be removed and left vacant. However, opinion is divided — other clubs have little appetite for title stripping.
When is Manchester City's next Premier League game after the verdict?
City's first Premier League fixture since the guilty verdict is away at Liverpool on Sunday, with kick-off at 16:30 BST.