More than a year after the hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against the Etihad club concluded, there is no sign that any decision will be taken by the independent commission.
Manchester City will carry on regardless, because they absolutely have to. They are aiming for another Premier League title and are considering the possibility of signing him in the mid-season transfer window. The club’s board could be preparing for Josep Guardiola’s departure at any time.
Some players may be considering new contracts, while others may be considering whether it is best to explore other options. The restart of the Champions League campaign beckons. All normal stuff.
However, the most successful club in the modern Premier League era is the one that continues to be accused of well over 100 breaches of competition rules. Honestly, I know this is a relatively complicated case, but isn’t it really that complicated?
read more: Rory McIlroy gives Manchester United a harsh reality check, admitting he has given up on watching matches live.
Early in the new year, it became an official farce. I can’t make any more excuses. What on earth is the independent commission doing after completing its public hearings over a year ago? The credibility of the Premier League as a whole is being undermined.
Pep Guardiola could only let out a sarcastic laugh when asked about the charges the other day. “They must be busy,” he said.
He then moved on to previewing the match and asking questions about dead batting transfers. Since the charges were announced, City have won the Treble, becoming the first club to win the top flight title four years in a row.
They have bought and sold a number of football players and have Erling Haaland tied up in a contract that expires at the end of this year. It’s almost three years since I was accused.
Guardiola has signed a new contract in the meantime. Etihad Stadium is being expanded. The date of the first accusation of financial fraud is approaching 17 years ago.
It’s really absurd. The city noted the ongoing process when it released its latest report.
“Following the accusations, the club has issued a public statement saying it welcomes the review of this matter by an independent panel to comprehensively consider the irrefutable evidence supporting the club’s position. At the time of issuing these statements, the independent panel is still in the process of reviewing this matter.”
Of course, that has been City’s position from day one. The club says there was no wrongdoing involved. The Premier League was probably equally convinced that City had done something wrong.
But the longer it takes for a verdict to be handed down, the more questions will arise about the final verdict, whatever it may be. We’re really at that stage.
When it takes more than a year to reach some conclusion, it’s natural to wonder how convincing that conclusion is. Yes, this is an independent committee, meaning the ridiculous delays are not the Premier League’s fault.
But there must come a time when the Premier League can say to an independent commission… Look, this is stupid, make a decision or forget it. And even if it lasts even longer, we will forget about it anyway. It has become a farce that must end.
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