Manchester City are unlikely to be sanctioned for their breaches of Premier League rules until their appeal has concluded.The club’s appeal against an independent commission’s ruling takes place in December.City will be handed sanctions in the new year if their appeal failsGettyCity were found guilty in September of all charges against them relating to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018.Having first been charged in February 2023, the verdict was announced by the Premier League almost two years after a hearing was held.The hearing saw the independent commission find that the club had inflated its financial position by more than £900million over a nine-year period.With City appealing against the decision, a further hearing is now set to determine whether the ruling will stand.When could City be sanctioned?According to the Financial Times, any potential sanctions will be handed down to City in 2027 if their appeal proves to be unsuccessful.An independent commission will give their verdict in the new year, with sanctions to follow if the verdict is upheld.It means that City have successfully managed to avoid the sanctions hearing from taking place concurrently with their appeal.Such a process had previously been a possibility following the initial guilty verdict.Instead, City will now discover the outcome of their appeal before any hearing into possible sanctions takes place.talkSPORT understands most lawyers believe this to be the most sensible approach.Premier League rules allow for City to be expelled from the top-flight in 2027GettyThe FT report adds that the Premier League rule book gives the independent commission permission to hand out a range of punishments.Those include fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the top-flight.However, it remains unclear when those sanctions could ultimately take effect.City would once again have the right to appeal against any punishments put in place against them.It subsequently raises the possibility of the process stretching beyond the end of the current season.The Premier League campaign is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, May 30, 2027Maresca’s side currently sit third in the Premier LeagueGettyNext month’s appeal hearing against the initial ruling is taking place three months after the verdict was announced.Therefore it remains a possibility that any appeal against potential sanctions may not take place before April 2027.City latestCity won three Premier League titles during the period in which their offences took place.Meanwhile, the club have not played outside the top-flight since winning promotion in 2002.Enzo Maresca’s side are currently third in the table, six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.It follows back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest prior to the international break.City also find themselves 13 points above the relegation zone 10 matches into the season.