Manchester City could learn the outcome of the hearing into their 115 charges of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules this month. A new report claims senior officials across the Premier League are now "bracing themselves" amid growing whispers of an impending decision, with the hearing into the charges having taken place between September and December 2024.
'Growing murmurs' of October verdict
According to City could hear whether they have been found guilty of the alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules in October. The report claims that there are “growing murmurs” across Premier League boardrooms that a verdict is imminent, with employees at City – who strongly deny the charges – having become “inured to the prospect”.
AdvertisementSaga has dragged on for almost three years
It is alleged that City breached the league’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. They were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year investigation. Following the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, City have won eight Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. The club have also clinched three FA Cups, six League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup under the current ownership.
Getty Images SportCity boss Guardiola believes club is innocent
The hearing into the 115 charges took place between September 2024 and December 2024, with a verdict yet to arrive. When asked in February this year when he thought a decision might arrive, City manager Pep Guardiola said: "In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence. After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far."
Speaking in September 2024, when the hearing was about to begin, Guardiola said he agreed with Javier Tebas, president of La Liga and a critic of City, that the rest of the Premier League wanted to see his side punished for the alleged breaches.
"For the first time I agree with Tebas," Guardiola said. "All the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure. But that's why I say to Mr Tebas and the Premier League teams, wait for the independent panel.
"Justice is there in a modern democracy. It's not more complicated than that.
"I don't know if he is a lawyer or the rest of the Premier League teams are lawyers, so I ask for that. It happened with UEFA.
"We believe we have not done anything wrong."
City & PL reached settlement in recent APT dispute
City and the Premier League reached a settlement in their dispute over associated party transactions (APT) in September this year. City accepted the rules that govern commercial deals are “valid and binding”, with both the club and the Premier League agreeing to terminate proceedings.
A joint statement read: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement in relation to the arbitration commenced by the club earlier this year concerning the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules and as a result the parties have agreed to terminate the proceedings.
“This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding.
“It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter.”
