Manchester City will not face the doomsday scenario that some had predicted, with insiders confirming a hefty punishment is coming but nothing that threatens the club's existence.
The reality of the situation
The FFP saga has dragged on long enough for supporters to grow weary of the speculation. Now, those with knowledge of the situation have indicated that a significant sanction is on the way. The exact nature of that punishment remains unclear from the information available, but the message is consistent: it will be substantial.
For a club that has spent years under a cloud of uncertainty, the confirmation that the worst-case scenario is unlikely to materialise offers a measure of relief. The threat of expulsion or a catastrophic points deduction has hung over the Etihad like a bad smell. That particular cloud appears to be lifting.
What the final penalty looks like is another matter. Insiders have not put a figure on it, nor have they specified whether it will be financial, a points deduction, or a combination of both. The only certainty is that City will pay a price.
The tone from those in the know is not one of panic. That in itself is telling. If the club were facing a fight for its very survival, the mood would be rather different.
What it means for the Blues
For supporters, the wait has been the hardest part. Years of legal wrangling and claim and counter-claim have tested patience. The confirmation that a doomsday outcome is unlikely will be welcomed, even if the prospect of a heavy punishment is hardly cause for celebration.
City have maintained their innocence throughout, and the club's position has not changed. The insiders' assessment suggests that whatever the final ruling, it will not be the existential threat that some rivals have gleefully anticipated.
There is still no timeline for a final decision. Until then, the speculation will continue. But the picture emerging is one of a club that will take a hit and carry on, rather than one facing the abyss.
For a fanbase accustomed to watching their team dominate on the pitch, the off-field battle has been an unwelcome distraction. The latest indication is that the distraction will end with a bruise rather than a broken bone.