Man City are yet to hear the outcome of the charges in the Premier League (Image: Getty)
Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness has suggested that the length of Manchester City’s 115-indictment case could be due to those overseeing the proceedings being busy with other matters. City were indicted in February 2023 for breaching financial regulations over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018, with an additional charge of failing to co-operate with a Premier League investigation.
Three years after the club were first charged, City and the Premier League continue to await a final verdict on potential breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018 (a period during which City won three league titles), which some reports say could actually be as many as 130. An independent commission investigated the case in December 2024, following a 12-week court hearing. However, the independent commission still has to render a verdict. The city refutes any wrongdoing and is understood to be convinced of his innocence.
While discussing the matter, Mr. Wyness suggested that the delay has gone on for too long and highlighted possible reasons behind it. “I read a very interesting assessment of the situation from a legal source,” he told Football Insider. “They basically said that they think the judge does not have proper time and is busy with other cases and that is the only reason behind it.
“I question that. I still think there’s going to be some kind of settlement and we’re going to deal with the actual consequences. So we all know it’s going to drag on too long. If this is the legal situation and the judges are just too busy, I don’t think that’s enough either.”
Mr. Wyness’ statements are mere speculation and not a confirmed explanation for the delay. However, if City are found guilty of potential violations, precedent indicates that sporting sanctions will be the primary form of punishment.
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Manager Josep Guardiola has long maintained that he would walk away if City’s owners were found to have cheated him financially. Guardiola previously said of the incident: “Why did I defend the club and the people? It’s because I work with them.” “When they’re accused of something, I ask them: ‘Tell me about it.’
“They explain it to me and I believe it. I told them: ‘If you lie to me, the next day I won’t be here. I’ll be out and I’m no longer your friend. I believe in you, because I believed in you 100% from day one, and because of that I will protect the club.’
Guardiola says he will leave the club if Man City’s owner is found to have lied about the charges. (Image: Getty)
The sanctions that City could face if found guilty are currently being discussed, ranging from fines to being stripped of the title and significant point deductions, severe enough to cause the club to be relegated from the top flight.
With two weeks left in the season, City are still locked in a Premier League title battle with Arsenal. Heading into the weekend, the teams are separated on five points after Guardiola’s side conceded a point against Everton on Monday, with a game against Crystal Palace next week.
Victory against Arsenal would be City’s fifth title in six seasons. An article in The Lawyer characterized City’s participation in the title race as a “nightmare” for the league, given the perception surrounding the ongoing litigation.
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they write: “English football currently faces the very real and troubling possibility that the club could be crowned champions despite being found guilty in court of years of gross breaches of regulations. It is even possible, incredibly unlikely given the amount of time left in the season, that City could win the league but receive points deductions and hand the title to Arsenal.”
“City are now a nightmare for the Premier League as they compete for the title. Like most arbitrations, the process is confidential. That secrecy and the 16-month waiting period has led to rumors swirling and many wondering what is going on behind closed doors.”
