Manchester City appear closer than ever to knowing the verdict in their Premier League accusations. The result could become clear during the November international break.
Man City are embroiled in a long legal battle, facing 115 charges of breaching league rules. The full trial began in mid-September last year, and with its first anniversary in early December, there is growing speculation that the verdict could be announced sooner, perhaps during next month’s international holiday period. Notably, this will be the last time Premier League football gets a proper break this season until the next break in March.
According to i Paper, a person familiar with the arbitration case suggested that legal experts are preparing for a ruling in mid-November.
The newspaper also cited sources suggesting that an impending vote on Financial Fair Play, scheduled for late next month, could be “completely overshadowed” by the incident. Several Premier League club officials reportedly believe a decision will take shape by the end of this year at the latest.
They also quote a source who warned that “it has been so quiet and has been going on for so long that it has almost been forgotten, but when it makes landfall all hell could break loose.”
The report reveals that a staggering 250,000 documents may form part of the case.
Legal experts are reportedly operating on the principle that four weeks of deliberation are required for each week of consecutive hearings.
This proved accurate in Everton’s first profitability and sustainability case, which lasted five days, as outlined in the report. Applying this formula to Man City’s charges, their claimed 12-week case would require 48 weeks, with the outcome expected in early November.
Earlier this month, former Man City legal adviser Stefan Bolson told talkSPORT: “I think the simple reality is that, as of last weekend, neither party has made a decision on the panel. This is not a case of both parties having made a decision and behind the scenes there are negotiations and settlement talks going on. It’s very simple. They haven’t made a decision on the panel yet.”
“In hindsight, I don’t think there’s any real excuse for any further delay. I think they would have done that even if they were busy with other things, but I think it’s really unusual that over the last 10 months, no schedule has been set with them, no arrangements have been made with them to pay for their time.”
“I think 10 months is enough for a very detailed 400- or 500-page judgment on this matter on any basis, and I think that’s imminent. I know I’ve said it many times before in this room, but I thought it was very likely that a decision would be made at this international window.I think it’s very likely that a decision will be made at the next international window, but I really don’t think it will be until 2026.I think it will continue beyond the year. Almost out.
“Why haven’t I received an email in my inbox at this point? I don’t know. It’s entirely possible that it arrived in the last 24 hours, but certainly as of last weekend, it wasn’t a case of confidential talks or confidential settlement negotiations. It’s very, very simple. They hadn’t received a decision.”
