Manchester City and Manchester United are set to be summoned by the Premier League to discuss sanctions for the part they played in European Super League (ESL) breakaway proposals.
In the middle of last month, the future of football was thrown into doubt when the controversial ESL plan - spearheaded by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with the support of American owners at three Premier League clubs - emerged.
However, amid widespread backlash from other Premier League sides, supporters and key figures in the game, the much-maligned plans were ultimately stopped in their tracks.
In the coming days, the six clubs who were among 12 initial signatories for the ESL - including City and United - are set to sit down for talks and, ultimately, discover their fates, according to Sky Sports.
It's thought that punishments, almost-certain to be financial, could include forfeiting some broadcast income.
Potential sanctions, which are expected to total tens of millions of pounds, could range from a one-off payment to a smaller, immediate fine coupled with a loss of broadcast revenue.
An initial proposal suggested by the Premier League is reported to comprise of a £15million fine per club in addition to a substantial - but suspended - points deduction.
However, it's unclear whether or not those terms will be included in the final settlement.
Aside from the two Manchester clubs, the UK-backing for ESL reform was completed by Arsenal, City's Champions League final opponents Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
A number of other fine structures have already been discussed, but a final settlement could still be weeks away.
At this stage, the financial punishments imposed by the Premier League are tipped to be more costly for English teams than those handed out by UEFA earlier this month.
Indeed, the sport's governing body has already announced a package of reintegration measures for the nine clubs who signed up and subsequently agreed to withdraw following immediate, universal backlash to the breakaway.
AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are among the sides who have agreed to pay a collective €15m (£12.9m) to be invested in children's, youth and grassroots football, with five per cent of revenues from UEFA competitions being withheld for one season.
Meanwhile, they also agreed to potential future fines - totalling €150m - if they go on to breach commitments in UEFA's Club Commitments Declaration or sign up to another breakaway.
Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid have refused to abandon the ESL, throwing their participation in next year's Champions League into serious doubt.
UEFA has yet to say which campaign the five per cent revenue penalty will apply to.
Back to the Premier League, the Government is likely to welcome the move to punish the six, though it is unclear where, and how, financial sanctions imposed on them will be redistributed.
