Less than a year after the hearing into City’s alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations concluded, there is no sign of a verdict from the independent panel.
We should care, and every club’s supporters across the country should care, and we should care to see that justice is done, or at least appears to be done. As one of the most important landmarks in modern football, we look forward to hearing the verdict on Manchester City’s 115 charges.
But it’s gotten to the point where it really doesn’t matter. Opposition fans no longer sing about allegations of financial fraud and Pep Guardiola is no longer asked about it. It could be 15 charges, 115 charges, 1,115 charges, etc., but does anyone really bother anymore?
As a precaution, the charges were filed in February 2023. The trial on the charges lasted 12 weeks and ended on December 6, 2024, but still nothing happened. Apparently, some football finance experts expect a verdict to be handed down during the next international break, which begins on Monday 10th November. Don’t hold your breath.
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The charges relating to fiscal rules (but not non-cooperation charges) cover the period from 2009 to 2018. So the last time the City allegedly breached fiscal rules was seven years ago.
City have spent more than £600m in the transfer market since the charges were laid. They signed 26 players. A number of new contracts have been signed, including one for Erling Haaland, who will remain at the club until 2034.
The large Norwegian was clearly not too worried about his impending legal ruin. In fact, at this rate his contract may be up by the time the verdict is announced.
Don’t forget, there were hints that a verdict would be announced during the past international break. And the bottom line is that with each day, week, or month that passes, the connection between the charges and their consequences becomes less and less.
Obviously, we have no idea what the verdict will be. There’s a good chance City will be relegated to the Northern Premier League and there’s also a good chance they’ll be stripped of the title, but we don’t know.
But we can guess, we can imagine. And we can assume and imagine that after this painfully drawn-out process, the verdict will be that the only real winners are the lawyers.
Look, no one really has a clue, but here’s the thing:
Does anyone expect City to be relegated? Does anyone expect them to be stripped of the Premier League title?
No, no.
Is anyone expecting a huge financial penalty? Is anyone expecting a relatively minor points penalty?
Yes, yes.
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