Found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, Manchester City will learn the final verdict on their appeal in February or March. The club deny the charges, but lawyers believe a hefty points deduction would be the minimum sanction if the findings stand. With the precedents set by Everton and Nottingham Forest, both docked points for financial breaches, expulsion from the top flight is also being considered as the harshest possible punishment.
The situation has sparked furious protests in the stands. Gary Neville said a banner reading "A generation of supporters have been cheated" captured the mood of the entire country. Jamie Carragher added that, despite City's 3-0 win at Anfield, a dark cloud hangs over the club's titles and future.
