The Premier League is set to issue a verdict on 115 charges against Manchester City, with the club awaiting the outcome of an Independent Committee hearing
Manchester City and the Premier League are in Tenterhook as they await the long-painted saga verdict. The club has been charged with 115 financial rules violations over nine years from 2009 until 2018, following the acquisition of Abu Dhabi United Group since 2009.
The club has maintained a fierce innocence in every respect and consistently states that its name will become clear. Additionally, Citi has been accused of not helping with the financial investigation.
After a 12-week hearing that began in September 2024, Pep Guardiola announced that he hopes the club will hear the verdict “in a month.” But a year later, the decision is still wrapped.
With decisions wrapped in uncertainty, the mirror offers everything you need to know about suspicious fees.
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How did it begin?
The charges were first thrown in City in February 2023, and the club strongly denied all allegations. The case is unparalleled in scale and the outcome of the hearing, whether guilty or innocent, has significant implications.
The financial misconduct claim was originally announced in 2018 by German newspaper Der Spiegel, claiming that illegal payments were made at the club.
What exactly are the prices for these 115?
Fees can be divided into three categories: illegal funding within UEFA and Premier League regulations, non-cooperation, and violations of financial rules.
Accused City Stand:
54X Failed to provide accurate financial information 2009/10 to 2017/18.14X Failed to provide accurate details of player and manager payments for 2009/10 to 2017/18.5x failed to comply with UEFA rules including PSR Rules for the Breaching Premier League, including 2017/18.35x breakdowns. 2018- February 2023.
If convicted, could Man City face demobilization?
Given the unprecedented nature of the incident, the potential punishment range is endless, and all options may be on the table.
Demotions can seem unlikely, just like titles, transfer embargoes, point deductions and fine stripping. “I don’t know if Manchester City is innocent or will prove guilty of the accusation,” football finance expert Kieran Maguire told the Manchester Evening News in April.
“We’ll be able to wait more until the tariffs are announced, and we’ll look into whether it’s a financial penalty or a point deduction. This is a nuclear option that’s being kicked out of the league, but I don’t think that’s likely for most people.”
It is worth repeating that the city vehemently denies fraud and claims that they have unanimous evidence in favor of their stance.
Why does the verdict take so long?
In short, the enormous number of charges and the severity of the charges are the main reasons why the incident has been dragged over for a very long time. Comparing the city’s case to previous cases against Nottingham Forest and Everton, Maguire highlighted the difference.
“The Mori and Everton incident was, to some extent, very clear. They were open and shut cases,” Maguire told the BBC. “There was 50,000 sheets of evidence proposed by both parties.
“In Manchester City, you need to increase that by perhaps tenfold, so you can see half a million copies of evidence that the three on the committee need to reflect.
“They are also in demand for their work, so it’s not always easy to try and get them around the table regularly, so we’re not yet far away in terms of making the conclusion and verdict of the evidence introduction in eight months.”
Last month, it was reported that the Independent could make a decision in early October.
What did Man City say?
With the announcement of the charges filed in February 2023, City denied all allegations and issued a strongly expressed statement expressing surprise at the Premier League accusations.
The city said it welcomed the Independent Committee, given their alleged innocent “a comprehensive body of unrefutable evidence.” “I look forward to this issue taking a break,” the statement concluded.
Last September Guardiola expressed his happiness that the incident was beginning before suggesting that all other Premier League clubs wanted city approval.
What did the Premier League say?
Premier League Chief Richard Masters is silent on the opening date of the scheduled 2024 hearing. He was asked by a government panel and refused to reveal it, saying that private groups were involved in the incident.
The Masters explained his silence to the BBC, saying, “In very simple terms, it’s not within our rules that we can do that.”
He added: “What we do is issue fees when they are made and publish decisions when they are made. The independent panel manages the bits in between.
In July 2025, Masters was once again asked about the decision. He told NBC: “Our rules are very clear and because it is a confidential process, we cannot provide information on timing and more,” he added. “I can’t add anything to it,” he added.
After Daniel Levy, former Tottenham chairman, criticised the lengthy process last month, Masters replied: “The only point I can talk about it publicly is when a decision is made.”
He concluded: “I can’t guess why or when to say it. That’s all I can really say. Daniel isn’t in the same position as me, so I can’t talk about it.”
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