Football lawyer Tom Murray has provided insight into what could happen if the verdict on the Premier League’s 115 charges against Manchester City is finally reached.
The verdict on Man City’s 115 charges is still pending (Image: Getty Images)
Sports lawyer Tom Murray said Manchester City are expected to be found to have breached at least some of the 115 charges laid against them by the Premier League, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it took more than two years for a final outcome. The founding partner of the Three Points law firm expects this process to continue to be dragged out and worsened by the appeals process.
Citi is accused of violating financial regulations over a nine-year period starting in 2009. An investigation began in 2019 and included allegations of the club’s financial reporting and lack of cooperation with the investigation, but the club has denied any wrongdoing.
The charges were announced in 2023, with Citi facing 54 charges for failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009 to 2010. He also faces 14 charges of failing to submit accurate financial reports regarding player and manager compensation during the same period.
The hearing began in September 2024 and lasted 10 weeks, with all parties still awaiting the outcome. The case is unprecedented in English football, and the amount and seriousness of the charges appear to have contributed to the long wait for sentencing.
Murray believes the scale of the charges means that Manchester City will eventually be found guilty of at least some of the charges. But amid persistent speculation about when the case’s outcome will be known, the lawyer claimed to have spoken with parties working on the case and could not predict when the outcome would be expected.
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“I don’t think anyone knows,” Murray said on the Price of Football podcast. “I’ve spoken to the barrister who’s working on this case, and even they don’t know when the verdict will be announced. As much as I’d like to speculate, I think it’s pointless.”
“What do you think will be the outcome? I think Manchester City will be held accountable for some kind of violation. Given the number of charges, I don’t think they can get away with this.”
“But I think this situation will continue for as long as possible and we can expect an appeal and we will be back in the same position. I wouldn’t be surprised if in two years we still don’t have a final result.”
Pep Guardiola is set to leave the club before a decision is made (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
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In contrast, former City financial advisor Stefan Bolson believes the club will receive a verdict “very soon”. He suggested it could happen before the end of the season.
“I think it’s coming soon, but then I told you before, right?” he said. “My best guess and the party atmosphere is that it will come at the end of the season.
“June is the most likely date, that’s the feeling. There’s no way to justify it right now considering how long it’s going to take to write this.
“This is outrageous territory. The 18 months it takes to produce a decision in a private arbitration is patently ridiculous. I have heard little to indicate that we are nearing the end of the decision-making process.”
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