Manchester City’s long-running Premier League financial case has entered a decisive new phase, with reports suggesting that some players have privately discussed the possibility of the club receiving a major points deduction.

The development comes after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations covering a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18.

However, it is important to stress that Manchester City have not been handed a points deduction at this stage. The punishment has yet to be determined, and the club has the right to appeal the commission’s findings.

According to the Premier League’s official statement published on 29 September 2026, the independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches and guilty of the majority of the allegations concerning the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.

Players reportedly discussing the possibility of a points deduction

The latest reports have added another layer to an already extraordinary situation.

Reports circulating from French newspaper L’Équipe, subsequently discussed by other football outlets, claim that Manchester City players have been privately considering what could happen if the club receives a substantial sporting punishment.

One of the reports attributes information to an agent representing a City player, who allegedly indicated that the possibility of a major points deduction is being discussed within the dressing room.

That information should, however, be treated as reported rather than independently confirmed fact. Private conversations involving players are naturally difficult for outside observers to verify.

What is confirmed is that the possibility of a points deduction is now a genuine part of the disciplinary process.

What exactly has Manchester City been found guilty of?

The Premier League says the commission found that Manchester City used what it described as “sham” contracts with commercial partners, with the arrangements allegedly misrepresenting the true agreements between the parties.

The commission also found that the club submitted misstated accounts and concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators.

In addition, the commission found significant breaches of both Premier League and UEFA spending regulations.

The case also involved allegations that City failed to cooperate properly with the Premier League’s investigation. According to the league, three of the four alleged breaches of the club’s cooperation obligations were upheld.

Reuters reported that the commission found City guilty of serious financial misconduct involving more than £900 million in financial misstatements, while the club continues to deny wrongdoing and intends to appeal.

No points deduction has been announced

This is the most important part of the story.

The commission’s verdict dealt with liability, not the final punishment.

The Premier League has confirmed that the question of sanctions will be dealt with separately at a further hearing. That hearing will be private and confidential until the outcome can legally be published.

Potential sanctions under the Premier League’s rules can include a fine, a points deduction, suspension or, in particularly serious circumstances, expulsion from the competition.

That means reports about a possible major points deduction are not completely baseless. But the exact number of points, if any, remains unknown.

There is currently no official announcement stating that Manchester City will lose 20, 30, 40 or 50 points.

Figures being discussed by commentators and supporters should therefore be regarded as speculation unless they come directly from an official disciplinary decision.

City remain confident despite the verdict

Another striking element of the latest reports is the suggestion that Manchester City’s hierarchy continues to project confidence internally.

The club has strongly rejected the commission’s conclusions and has indicated that it intends to appeal.

The Premier League confirmed that City have until 2 October 2026 to exercise their right of appeal against the commission’s findings.

The club’s position therefore remains fundamentally opposed to the commission’s conclusions.

This is significant because the legal process is not necessarily finished simply because the commission has issued its verdict. An appeal could challenge aspects of the findings before the question of final sanctions is ultimately resolved.

What could happen next?

The immediate next step is Manchester City’s appeal process.

At the same time, the separate sanction process will determine what punishment, if any, should follow the findings.

That creates several possibilities.

Manchester City could face a financial penalty. They could receive a sporting sanction such as a points deduction. Other disciplinary measures are also available under the Premier League’s rules.

The precise punishment will depend on the independent commission’s assessment of the seriousness of the breaches and any applicable rules and precedents.

For now, however, there is no confirmed points deduction.

Why the situation is so serious

The significance of the case goes beyond Manchester City’s position in the Premier League table.

The allegations cover several seasons during which City became one of the dominant clubs in English football. The commission’s findings could therefore have consequences extending beyond the club’s current campaign.

The Guardian has reported that the commission’s findings included allegations surrounding concealed funding arrangements, financial reporting and cooperation with the league’s investigation.

The Financial Times has also reported that potential sanctions could range from fines and points deductions to more severe measures, while noting that City intends to appeal.

Nevertheless, the final disciplinary outcome remains outstanding.

The bottom line

Manchester City are now facing a major disciplinary process following the independent commission’s guilty findings.

Reports that City players are discussing the possibility of a huge points deduction have added to the drama surrounding the case, but those reports should not be confused with an official punishment.

The facts currently established are:

• Manchester City have been found guilty of serious Premier League financial-rule breaches.
• The findings cover a nine-season period.
• The commission also found the club guilty of most of the alleged failures to cooperate with the investigation.
• Manchester City deny wrongdoing and have the right to appeal.
• The deadline for an appeal is 2 October 2026.
• A separate hearing will determine the sanctions.
• A points deduction is possible, but no points deduction has yet been announced.

For Manchester City supporters, players and rivals alike, the next stage of the case will therefore be crucial.

Until the independent commission announces its sanction — and any appeal process is dealt with — claims about the exact size of a potential points deduction remain speculation.

The one thing that is certain is that Manchester City’s long-running financial case has now moved from allegations to an official guilty finding, with the question of punishment still to be answered.