Manchester City would find themselves chasing the top four if they were hit with the same points deduction as Juventus, who were reprimanded after their transfer dealings were investigated earlier this season.
The Premier League champions are currently struggling to chase down Arsenal on the pitch, but also have problems off the pitch after being charged with more than 100 breaches of financial rules, which comes after a four-year investigation, as they await further punishment.
One of those could be a major points deduction, which would scupper their hopes of a third successive league title and change the landscape of the current season. Pep Guardiola's side currently sit second on 45 points - five off Arsenal having played a game more.
Were the Premier League to follow the Italian example, which saw Juventus docked 15 points, then City would drop all the way down to eighth. They'd still be above Chelsea and Liverpool, who are struggling for form this term, whilst Manchester United would become Arsenal's closest challengers.
Newcastle's hopes of securing a Champions League spot would increase, as they'd go up to third, whilst Tottenham would enter the top four. Brighton - who are hot on Tottenham's heels - would go into fifth, but with the possibility of leapfrogging the north Londoners if they won their two games in hand.
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Brentford and Fulham would also go up one spot to seventh and eighth respectively. Guardiola's side, were they to lose out on 15 points, would be nine points off a top four spot with just less than half of the campaign still to go.
Manchester City face the prospect of a major points deduction (Getty Images)City have maintained their innocence and put out a statement that read: " Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
The Premier League state that City breached rules requiring them to provide "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position". The information in question covered club revenue, which includes sponsorship income and operating costs.
Other alleged breaches relate to rules requiring full details of manager remuneration - from the 2009-10 to 2012-13 seasons, when Roberto Mancini was in charge - and player remuneration between 2010-11 and 2015-16. City are also said to have breached rules related to UEFA Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulation, from 2013-14 to 2017-18, as well as Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Premier League table with Man City docked points
1 Arsenal - 50 points
2 Man Utd - 42 points
3 Newcastle - 40 points
4 Tottenham - 39 points
5 Brighton - 34 points
6 Brentford - 33 points
7 Fulham - 32 points
8 Man City - 30 points
9 Chelsea - 30 points
10 Liverpool - 29 points
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