Man City’s 115-charge case faces more delays after verdict wait
Manchester City’s long-awaited financial case could remain unresolved for years if the club faces sanctions and appeals after the independent commission finally delivers its verdict.
Manchester City’s long-running financial case could continue for several more years even after the independent commission finally announces its verdict, with former club financial adviser Stefan Borson warning that the legal process is far from reaching its conclusion.
City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023 with 115 alleged breaches covering financial reporting, sponsorship income, player and manager payments and cooperation with the league’s investigation.
The club have consistently denied wrongdoing. An independent commission completed a 12-week hearing in December 2024, but no ruling has been published, meaning the case has now entered another Premier League season without a resolution.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters recently acknowledged that the process had taken longer than expected but said he could not provide a timetable because of confidentiality and due process.
Borson’s latest assessment adds another layer of uncertainty because even a forthcoming verdict would only settle the question of liability initially. If City are found to have breached the rules, a separate process could be required to determine the appropriate punishment before either side considers an appeal.
That could leave the club facing another lengthy period of uncertainty, particularly if the eventual sanction is challenged.
The potential consequences have been widely debated, ranging from financial penalties and points deductions to more severe sporting measures, although no punishment can be assumed before the commission reaches its conclusions.
City’s position remains that they have not committed the alleged offences, while the Premier League continues to await the independent panel’s decision.
With the verdict already delayed far beyond the conclusion of the hearing, attention is now shifting not only to when the decision will arrive but also to how long it could take for the entire dispute to reach a final conclusion.
