A recent Manchester Evening News article has caused quite a stir amongst our readers. A finance expert asserts that relegation isn't on the cards for Manchester City should they be found guilty of their most severe alleged financial violations.

Nevertheless, Kieran Maguire notes that a hefty points penalty by the Premier League could effectively seal their relegation fate. The outcome of the case, now in the hands of an independent tribunal following City's submission of their defence and the Premier League's presentation of evidence, is much anticipated later this year, with appeal rights reserved for both parties.

During the Overlap Fan Debate, Maguire elaborated that while it's improbable the Premier League will expel City and demote them to the Championship given the EFL's potential refusal to accept the club, a substantial points deduction could mirror the effect of relegation—a notion underscored by recent penalties faced by Everton and Nottingham Forest.

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Maguire explained: "In the case of City, there's actually three charges. It's not 115. Has money come in from the owners which they pretend to be from the sponsors? If that is the case, then that is fraud. That is about as serious as it gets."

"And, if found guilty of those charges, then the book will be thrown at Manchester City and it's going to be a massive points deduction."

The comments section for the article is busy, as fans weigh in on the potential repercussions for Manchester City - some claiming that even if Manchester City are found guilty of the most serious allegations among their 115 supposed financial infractions, they won't face Premier League relegation.

Richiesp comments: "If City cheated it would seem to make more sense to limit their transfer activity for an appropriate number of transfer windows. Points deduction is unlikely to be particularly effective even if they were to be deducted sufficiently for them to be relegated. The point is the period in which they are alleged to have acted against the rules was when they were able to expand their revenue which is what now gives them a huge advantage under these FFP rules. There is nothing fair about the Financial Fair Play rules, we have the ridiculous situation where Manchester City could end up taking Bruno from Newcastle because the latter needs to balance their books, whereas the former have substantially more space to spend as a result (if found guilty) of irregular dealings in its early stages of development. Its important that these ridiculous rules are replaced, perhaps with a salary cap so that clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest are able to invest so they can catch up with the biggest earners."

Pepwontquit can't wait for all this to be over and says: "I long for the day when all this speculation, and the resultant inane column inches that it has spawned is brought to its conclusion. It's very waring. Hopefully by the end of this month we will see the end of it."

Openuni answers back: "End of this month? You're having a laugh - won't happen until late this season at best - prediction - a fine (£250,000), suspended points deduction at best (or worst) depending on your point of view, and finally a verbal 'slap on the wrists'. This all goes to show that the Premier league authorities are more than happy to 'dodge' any type of meaningful punishment for certain clubs - they have shown it before but the main point is, why is it taking so long? If they make relegation an inevitability, then I would hope the Championship do not accept them into their league - there is no rule that says they have to accept them apparently - now wouldn't that be sweet?"

Carriedobbin believes: "If it goes with points deductions then City will be relegated hopefully to the Championship lower league."

Macmuppet adds: "Actually the only charge the FA Premier League can prove is non cooperation given that all of City's sponsors have denied city's owners gave them money to increase their sponsorship payments and non participation payments aren't illegal and have been used in football longer than there's been professional football."

So how do you feel about the charges facing Manchester City? Join in the conversation below.