The long-awaited conclusion to the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City’s alleged breaches of financial rules has drawn nearer, as the hearing into 115 charges against the reigning champions wrapped up on Friday.
Closing arguments were delivered at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre, leaving a three-man panel to deliberate on the evidence before delivering a verdict in the coming months.
Man City’s High-Stakes Legal Battle
The hearing, which began on September 16, has been conducted under strict secrecy.
The Premier League has accused Manchester City of failing to report accurate financial information and obstructing a subsequent investigation, among other allegations.
City, who strongly deny wrongdoing, face potential penalties ranging from fines to relegation if found guilty of the most serious charges.
The original 115 charges, which date back to alleged rule breaches from 2009, have now expanded to 130 due to administrative adjustments.
The allegations include failure to disclose full details of managerial and player payments and failing to cooperate with the league’s probe over a five-year span from 2018.
Potential Punishment for Man City
Should the verdict go against City, the repercussions could be seismic for English football – financial penalties, point deductions, or even expulsion from the Premier League.
Yet, an appeal from either side is expected if the panel’s decision is unfavourable, potentially prolonging uncertainty until at least the end of the next season.
Such an outcome would leave the league, its clubs, and City in a prolonged state of limbo.
The high-profile nature of the case has already drawn concerns over the spiralling legal costs associated with the Premier League’s investigation, a process that began in 2018 after German media leaked hacked documents implicating City.
The three-person panel will now analyse the evidence presented during the hearing before issuing a decision. Given the complexity of the case, a final verdict is not expected for several months.
