Hearing over Man City’s 115 charges starts Monday – so we take a look at what next, how long could it last, and the potential punishment?
It was reported in August that the hearing was brought forward to mid-September and sources have told Sky Sports News on Thursday (12th September) that it will now start on the 16th of September.
The hearing will be held in private before an independent commission could last as long as two months, and could last up to ten weeks.
A decision is not expected until spring 2025, with the hearing with the independent commission will go on for those ten weeks, with both the Premier League and City expected to make lengthy legal representations outlining their case.
The independent commission will then go away and consider all the evidence and consider their decision.
So to make it clear, the process has also been expected to take several months because of the sheer volume of the charges.
115 of them levelled against Manchester City and all of the amount of information connected to those charges that needs to be reviewed.
The end of the process could be later next year, 2025, but it’s hoped on all sides that the matter will finally be done, and done inside a calendar year.
Man City are being charged with breaking financial Fair play rules over a nine year period going from 2009 up until 2018.
Man City deny all the charges against them with Pep Guardiola going on record as saying innocent until proven guilty.
It’s also worth pointing out that during the period in question, 2009 to 2018, Man City have been crowned Premier League champions three times in that window.
BREAKING: The hearing over Manchester City’s 115 charges will start on Monday 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9ujOCryVMF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 12, 2024
The Premier League states that Man City violated regulations over a span of nine seasons by purportedly failing to provide accurate financial disclosures.
Among the specific allegations is the claim that the club did not fully reveal the financial compensation received by one of their managers during a four-year timeframe.
It is suggested that a concealed contract existed, resulting in the manager receiving a significantly higher salary than what was officially reported.
Additionally, the Premier League asserts that Manchester City did not adhere to UEFA’s financial fair play regulations over a five-year period.
It’s also claimed that the club has not fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation conducted by the Premier League.
The independent commission are expected to publicly announce the decision prior spring 2024.
However, timelines could face delays due to the legal nature of the proceedings, which are unaffected by the Premier League or City.
The formal hearing with the independent commission is anticipated to last approximately 10 weeks, during which both the Premier League and City will present extensive legal arguments to support their positions.
Following the hearings, the independent commission will deliberate on the evidence presented and arrive at a decision.
This deliberation process is expected to extend over several months, given the extensive number of charges and the substantial amount of information that requires examination.
Consequently, it is likely that the commission’s decision will not be made public until March or later. Once a conclusion is reached, it will be disclosed.
Furthermore, should the commission find City guilty of any or all of the charges, the club is expected to appeal the ruling, which would further postpone the implementation of any penalties or point deductions.
Man City first heard of the charges in February 2023, the club left “surprised” by the Premier League’s allegations.
City said they claimed to have provided “extensive engagement” and a “vast amount of detailed materials” to the Premier League’s investigation.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” they said in a statement at the time.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
So now then, punishments. According to Premier League rules, it can be a points deduction or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League, although this would be an extreme punishment.
Stephen Taylor Heath, JMW head of sports law, said to Sky Sports News: “The commission will have a legal representative on the panel, and you’d expect that representative to be a pretty heavyweight King’s Counsel.
“Manchester City have had an obligation to comply with the Premier League’s investigation and they now have an obligation to comply with the commission’s procedure. If they don’t comply then a dim view will be taken.
“If the charges relate to administrative errors then the sanctions will be a slap on the wrist. You would think, if the Premier League have taken it this far, they either think there is a case to answer or they’ve simply got to the point where they haven’t been given the answers, and they’re now putting it to a commission to get those answers.”
Here’s what fans are saying with it announced that a hearing over Man City’s 115 charges starts Monday…
@XtraLeicester: If they get away with this then football as we know it is finished. All these top clubs want a closed shop and no competition
@SSE_LTFC: With the rate this is progressing, we can expect it to be concluded by the year 2100
@LiamK1998_: I find it extremely funny that no one who supports a club outside the big 6 want Man City to lose it just shows fans from the cartel clubs are just jealous of Man City
@Whiskey_Bravo69: It’ll be over by lunchtime, after the City hierarchy lavish the panel with expensive bribes!
@_Big_flames: Send them back to league one.
@JayyLFC9: Man City owners and Lawyers currently filling up quite a few hefty sized envelopes with cash 😂
@Flat_Back_4: This will be Pep’s last season so, timing of the outcome will be just after the season ends and he will never be seen again.
@AdamFFC: Here we fucking go. I cannot fucking wait for the guilty verdict. The courts will serve justice and Man City fans will all disappear. 115 FFP CHARGES
@Colshort66Colin: And finish Tuesday with absolutely nothing done…. 🙄🙄
@DPatz13: Prediction – Man City will receive a points deduction & transfer ban starting the 25/26 season following the 115 charges verdict
@Citizen_baker: All those rival fans getting excited over this news lol, decision won’t be until spring 2025 😂😂
@AlexEveritt91:
Here we go. Chelsea (a) or Chadderton (a)
Let’s have it.
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