The hearing of the financial case of the English Premier League and “Manchester City” has ended.
It was held at the Center for International Dispute Resolution near St Paul’s, London and started on 16 September until it ended 12 weeks later last Friday 6 December.
The decision is expected in the spring, most likely around March.
Both sides have the right to appeal, which will take several months.
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Sky Sports News’ Kave Solhekol provides the latest update on the Premier League’s 115 charges against Manchester City for alleged financial irregularities.
In February 2023, the Premier League accused City of breaching more than 100 of its financial rules.
The alleged violations refer to the years 2009 to 2018.
The city denies all allegations, which include:
- Failure to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons
- Failure to provide full details of player salaries over six seasons
- Full details of Roberto Mancini’s salary for four seasons could not be submitted
- Not co-operating with the Premier League’s four-year investigation
- Failure to comply with UEFA’s FFP rules over five seasons.
City had a two-year UEFA ban overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July 2020, and in 2014 the club were fined £49m for breaching UEFA’s FFP rules, £32m of which was suspended.
What can happen to City?
Under Premier League rules, any punishment could be a points deduction or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League, although that would be an extreme punishment.
When will the decision be made?
The independent commission’s decision is unlikely to be published until spring.
However, the schedules can be canceled as it is a legal process, regardless of the influence of the Premier League or City.
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Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett examines when a decision could be made on Manchester City’s 115 charges, as Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says the issue needs to be resolved.
After the hearing, an independent panel will go through all the evidence before making a decision, a process expected to take several months due to the volume of charges and the amount of information to be reviewed.
Therefore, it may be March or later before the commission’s decision is published.
Even then, if the panel finds City guilty of some or all of the charges against them, the club will likely appeal the decision, further delaying the imposition of sanctions or points deductions.
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Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Premier League highlights
What did “City” say?
When the allegations were first announced in February 2023, City said they were “surprised” by the Premier League’s allegations.
Expressing their surprise at the allegations, City also said they had provided “extensive involvement” and “a large amount of detailed material” to the Premier League’s investigation.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by these alleged breaches of Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive involvement and the vast amount of detailed material provided to the Premier League,” it said in a statement at the time.
“The club welcomes a review of this matter by an independent panel to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence available to support its position.
“As such, we look forward to putting this matter to rest once and for all.”
What about Pep?
Pep Guardiola said at the time the allegations were made public he was “absolutely convinced” City were innocent and hit out at the Premier League saying they were “already condemned”.
Guardiola recently said that he was happy that the hearing was about to start and that he hoped for a quick conclusion.
“I’m glad it starts soon and I hope it ends soon for the benefit of all of us,” he told a press conference ahead of their game against Ipswich on August 24.
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Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola says it was a joke after Jose Mourinho’s Premier League title win and the Portuguese manager has hit back at Manchester City’s ongoing 115-charge trial.
“Especially for the club, but for all the other clubs in the Premier League, as well as for all the people who are not waiting for the verdict.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to go to trial, to an independent commission, and I say it again, to an independent commission, and make it public as soon as possible, and we’ll take it as we always have.”
Asked if he was concerned that the situation could affect the performance of City’s players, Guardiola said: “No, we’ve been talking about it for three or four years.”
How did we get to this point?
Still a German plug in 2019 To the mirror published an investigation based on the work of Portuguese computer hacker Rui Pinto, who hacked the e-mail accounts of various football clubs and agents.
It was this story that started the UEFA investigation into City, which also led to this Premier League investigation.
If City were found guilty, how would an appeal work?
The independent commission will be made up of three members, who will be selected by Premier League Judiciary Panel Chairman Murray Rosen QC.
The three-person panel may include any of the 15 members of the judiciary, as well as non-members.
Once a verdict is handed down, the Premier League and City will be able to appeal, although it cannot be taken to CAS.
Instead, Rosen would appoint a new appeals committee.There are currently six members of the Premier League’s appeals panel.
The appeal will further delay the imposition of sanctions or deducting points, but it is hoped by all parties that the matter will finally be concluded in the next calendar year.
What are the implications for other Premier League clubs?
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
“If you talk to the lawyers, they say it would be difficult for another club to say they lost the title or, more importantly, to get into the Champions League and all the rewards that come with it.
“Not too long ago there was talk that Burnley and Leeds might lodge a complaint against Everton over their financial situation, although that never materialised.
“Everyone will be watching it with great interest and once the independent panel makes a decision, it will go from there.”
