English football is still reeling from David Ornstein’s bombshell report on Friday confirming the Independent Panel’s guilty verdict against Manchester City in ther long-drawn legal battle with the Premier League.
The Premier League has successfully proved 114 of its 115 charges against Manchester City, involving financial breaches over inflated sponsorship deals, player transfers, dual contracts, and continued noncooperation during the investigation.
No official announcement has been made, and Manchester City remain belligerent, insisting on their innocence on all charges while not denying that a guilty verdict has been delivered.
Manchester City will realise how the rest of the football community feel about them when the players return to action after the international break. However, the rest of the season could be played under a huge cloud as the wider football community waits for the sanctions against the Citizens.
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Leeds United’s trip to Manchester City could be played under very different circumstances
Once the Premier League confirm the Independent Panel’s verdict on the advice of their legal team, another separate sanctions panel will be formed.
The Premier League will communicate the sanctions it wants against Manchester City to the panel, and it will deliver its final decision after some deliberation.
However, the timeline for this could be quicker than the trial, and Manchester City are expected to be sanctioned in the next couple of months, even during the November international break.
If Manchester City are docked points, that would virtually confirm their relegation from the Premier League; there would be question marks over how the players would react.
They could be virtually relegated from the top tier by the time Leeds visit the Etihad in December.
While Manchester City could adopt a siege mentality as they seek to overturn the verdict, which seems unlikely, the players could also down tools once the sanctions are announced.
Under normal circumstances, Manchester City should be favourites to beat Leeds at home, but the Premier League landscape could change before December.
Europe is a real possibility for Leeds now
Leeds United could see their ambitions rise if Manchester City take a major points deduction.
The Whites have taken nine points from their opening five games without losing, prompting early talk of a possible European push. Daniel Farke, though, has urged everyone to stay grounded and focus on establishing Leeds in the Premier League.
A heavy Manchester City punishment could change that picture. If they are dragged down the table, Leeds could gain ground on the teams above them and find themselves competing for a much higher finish than expected.
For Farke’s side, Manchester City’s potential downfall could open a door that looked unlikely at the start of the season.
