Man City stripped of titles? Premier League punishment might not be enough for Liverpool

'If guilty, double digit deductions just won't cut it'

Paul Gorst: Everton's 10-point deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules represents the biggest of its kind in the Premier League era and the governing body have set their stall out considerably for what might follow.

Some have said the League have decided to make an example out of Everton to fend off claims they need to be independently regulated and have done so at a time when the 10-point deficit is not necessarily the immediate death knell for Sean Dyche's survival plans.

And while there is some merit in that, this is also about an organisation who are trying to belatedly get tough on those who breach their financial rules.

But if Everton warrant 10 points for their breaking of the rules, the major question is how many will be shaved off City if they are found to eventually be guilty of many if not all of their alleged 115 breaches?

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While Everton have been working with the Premier League to bring about a resolution - one that still sees them in with a real shot of actually staying up this season - City's case has been characterised by strong, robust denials and obfuscation at almost every turn. There is a reason these charges have been dragging on around five years, after all.

If Everton are to be the yardstick for punishment of this sort, is relegation a real threat to City? Would even that be deemed appropriate enough? Given they would likely bounce back at the first time of asking with few real problems, it's a major issue with no real 'right answer' here