The much-anticipated verdict in the Premier League’s legal case against Manchester City over alleged financial rule breaches is now unlikely to come before the summer, according to the Telegraph.
City face 115 charges for allegedly breaching financial rules over nine years. The accusations include failing to fully cooperate with the Premier League during investigations.
An independent commission concluded its hearing in December after nearly three months of legal proceedings at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre.
A verdict was expected this spring, but a deadline was not set. The sheer scale and complexity of the case means a summer verdict is more likely.
The delay pushes any resolution closer to the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, set to kick off on August 16.
Legal insiders say the time the case has taken is not surprising, given the volume of evidence, legal arguments and high-profile scrutiny surrounding the case.
The Premier League first launched its investigation into City in 2018, with charges formally announced in February 2023.
City have denied any wrongdoing and claim have evidence to support their case. Renowned barrister Lord Pannick KC is leading their legal defence.
The allegations against City include claims that they failed to provide accurate financial details, especially regarding sponsorship income.
They have also been accused of not fully disclosing former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay between 2009 and 2013.
The Premier League potentially faces a legal bill of more than £20 million after losing the first part of its dispute with Man City over sponsorship rules. The loss and possible legal bills are a massive blow.
The league spent almost £50m on legal costs over the previous football season – six times what they estimated. The costs are not easy to bear.
