The hearing for Manchester City’s 115 charges related to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is set to begin on Monday.
City was charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a four-year investigation. The charges accuse City of violating financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City firmly denies all allegations, asserting that they have a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their position.
The Premier League alleges that City failed to provide accurate financial information, including details on revenue, sponsorship income, and operating costs. They also claim that City did not cooperate with the investigation.
City, on the other hand, has labeled the allegations as "entirely false," stating that they originated from illegally hacked emails published out of context.
Since their 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, City has won eight league titles, numerous cups, and the Champions League.
City manager Pep Guardiola commented on Friday, saying, "I'm glad it's starting on Monday. I’m looking forward to the decision and hopeful it will conclude soon. I know there will be speculation and new experts weighing in, but we’ll see. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty."
What are the 115 charges?
- 54 counts of failing to provide accurate financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
- 14 counts of not providing accurate details on player and manager payments from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
- 5 counts of not complying with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules from 2013-14 to 2017-18.
- 7 counts of breaching Premier League’s rules from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
- 35 counts of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023.
How long will the case last?
The hearing is expected to last around 10 weeks, likely extending into late November.
When will there be a verdict?
There will not be an immediate verdict once the hearing concludes. A decision is anticipated sometime in early 2025.
Will there be an appeal?
The case cannot be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but either side could appeal, potentially leading to a new hearing with a different independent panel.
What about legal costs?
The legal fees for this case, which has been ongoing for six years, are estimated to be in the tens of millions of pounds before the hearing even begins. The winning side is likely to seek compensation for these costs. For context, Everton’s legal costs from their case last season were partially covered by the Premier League, with the remaining costs spread across the 20 Premier League clubs.
Who are the lawyers involved?
The specific members of the independent panel are not known yet and will likely only be revealed with the written judgment. City’s legal team is led by Lord Pannick KC, who charges around £5,000 an hour and previously helped City overturn a European ban in 2020. It is reported that sports law expert Adam Lewis KC may head the Premier League’s legal team.
Where is the case being heard?
The hearing is not a public court case, so it will be held in private, and the location is not disclosed. Some parts might even be conducted remotely via video calls.
