Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Man City won’t be hit with “expulsion” from every competition as punishment for 115 potential financial rule breaches.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted “relegation down a league or two” is now “likely” after what he has heard about the case.
Man City and the Premier League started their face-off in secret in central London last week (16 September), with the hearing expected to go on for around 10 weeks.
The English champions are accused of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) on seven occasions – as well as failing to provide accurate financial information and more.
City have won the Premier League title in the last four seasons and are favourites to seal a record fifth straight success this term.
Wyness claimed he is “hearing noises about potential settlements” in the 115 charges row.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think complete expulsion is unlikely.
“I don’t see the punishment being that draconian.
“For the first time, I’m hearing noises about potential settlements for this case.
“I don’t think it’ll be quickly, but when each side starts to lay out their evidence – and we see some cross-examination – I think both sides will realise they’re fighting to a score draw.
“Let’s see how it plays out.
“I think there will be a penalty, but it won’t be expulsion from everything.
“There’ll be a relegation, I feel, down a league or two. That’s now a likely outcome.”
