If the reports are substantially accurate, these are the only just verdicts. The financial rules were clear and the Premier League's credibility was at stake. The direct evidence, in the form of leaked City email officials, of violation was simply incontrovertible. The best lawyers in the King's realm, and City had a mass of them, could not have controverted those emails.
The case is unprecedented in duration, scope, and effect on competitiveness. The Premier League has harshly punished far, far less severe similar violations. This being England and this being civil law, City will appeal and likely the Premier League and the org. will reach a compromise on punishment. What are those options?
-Fine
-Points points
-Expulsion from the Premier League.
I don't know if stripping titles long ago won is an option. In my opinion, the EPL would not want titles stripped. In my opinion, a fine, even a gargantuan fine, would be water off a Sheikh's back. An enormous points deduction, say 100 points, would amount to a suspension from the EPL. City would be forced to compete in League One (the third tier) perhaps.
Expulsion seems plausible to me, but does the EPL really want to permanently keep Manchester City and the United Arab Emirates' petro-zillions out of the highest level of English football? I think not. City have been a boon to the Premier League, a breathtaking success on the pitch, a financial windfall off, and have kept the English league as the consensus best in the world. And, not incidentally, expulsion could jumpstart a European Super League, the nightmare of all domestic leagues (my dream).
But this will not stand, and it should not stand. I expect a hefty points deduction and the mother of all fines.
CITY FOREVER!