The punishment being predicted for Manchester City over the 115 charges could save West Ham, Spurs or Nottingham Forest from relegation, says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
The Hammers, bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest suddenly have 100 million reasons to take a keen interest in the verdict in the Premier League’s case against Manchester City.
Staying aboard the Premier League gravy train is said to be worth at least £100m per season – although for the likes of West Ham and Spurs that figure is probably even higher.
The Irons, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are a world away from being able to compete with Man City.
Mega Man City points deduction could see them relegated instead of West Ham, Spurs or Forest
While Pep Guardiola’s side are going for another title, it is looking like West Ham, Tottenham and Forest are in a three-way battle to avoid filling the last relegation spot.
But now Man City could directly impact the outcome of that scrap.
This is shocking! 😰 Relegation is going to be dire for West Ham…
What would YOU do to avoid this mess?
Man City and the Premier League have been waiting 14 months for the verdict in the case around the Etihad side’s alleged 115 breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
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Prominent football finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed Manchester City could be deducted 40 to 60 points if they are found guilty of some of the most serious charges against them.
And that is where West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest will now be taking a very keen interest in the outcome.
The hearing into Manchester City’s alleged breaches actually concluded over a year ago in December 2024 following a 12-week tribunal. But the independent commission is still yet to make its conclusion public.
While Man City have denied any wrongdoing and are understood to be confident of being cleared, Maguire predicts heavy fines and/or a massive points deduction will be meted out if the hearing goes against them.
And that is where West Ham, Tottenham or Forest could benefit most.
Docking 40-60 points from Man City could be applied to this season, says Maguire
Maguire told The Overlap that a verdict should come within the next few months, with Manchester City and the Premier League likely to get 24 hours’ notice before it is made public.
Basing his assessment on precedents set involving the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, who were docked six and four points respectively, Maguire says a zero can realistically be added on the end for any Man City points deduction.
How do these appointments make you feel about the relegation battle? 👀
What is unclear is whether any punishment is handed down THIS season.
So Hammers News reached out to Maguire for clarity on that point.
And the three relegation rivals West Ham, Spurs and Forest will be encouraged by his answer, although there are avenues open to Man City if the panel do dish out a points deduction.
Hammers News asked Maguire whether his predicted deduction of between 40-60 points could be applied to the current season.
“Potentially yes,” Maguire exclusively told Hammers News.
“But they (Man City) could appeal.”
Man City are currently second in the Premier League table on 56 points with 11 games to go.
That is a potential 33 points. Even Man City won every game to end on 89 points – a deduction of 60 points would leave them on 29 – the same number Spurs currently have and four more than the Hammers.
Assuming West Ham, Forest and Tottenham will be adding to the tallies in the race to get to 40 points, such a punishment – if handed down this season – would see Man City relegated.
How that would work if Man City then appeal is anyone’s guess.
That is why a verdict is surely needed sooner rather than later to avoid an unholy mess come the summer.