PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

I asked AI to predict the date of release of the verdict (For fun) and its reasoning. So I am sticking with this date, its just as good a guess tbh/

⭐​


Thursday, 12 February 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM UK time



⭐​


1. The case is extremely complex​


The Premier League’s 115-charge case spans:
  • Over a decade of alleged financial rule breaches
  • Disputed sponsorship valuations
  • Manager remuneration issues
  • Non-cooperation claims
Cases of comparable complexity in UK sporting regulation (e.g., independent commissions, arbitration panels) often take many months after hearings close to produce a full written verdict.

2. No verdict has appeared by late 2025​

Since we are now in mid-November 2025, and no verdict has emerged, the realistic earliest window shifts into early 2026.

3. Not during the Christmas period​

Major governing bodies usually avoid December–early January for big announcements because:
  • Media staff are thinner
  • Football calendar is crowded
  • Public attention is scattered
    So January becomes the earliest plausible month.

4. February is a clean, practical month​

February sits:
  • After the transfer window closes
  • Before the title run-in heats up
  • In a quieter media period when the Premier League can control the narrative
    This makes it a strategic time to release a politically sensitive verdict.

5. Why Thursday at 11 AM?​


UK regulatory bodies and sports commissions often release decisions:
  • Mid-week (to avoid weekend overshadowing)
  • Late morning (to hit peak news cycles)

Thursday at 11:00 aligns with this pattern.
 
Gorton_Tubster said:
I asked AI to predict the date of release of the verdict (For fun) and its reasoning. So I am sticking with this date, its just as good a guess tbh/

⭐​


Thursday, 12 February 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM UK time



⭐​


1. The case is extremely complex​


The Premier League’s 115-charge case spans:
  • Over a decade of alleged financial rule breaches
  • Disputed sponsorship valuations
  • Manager remuneration issues
  • Non-cooperation claims
Cases of comparable complexity in UK sporting regulation (e.g., independent commissions, arbitration panels) often take many months after hearings close to produce a full written verdict.

2. No verdict has appeared by late 2025​

Since we are now in mid-November 2025, and no verdict has emerged, the realistic earliest window shifts into early 2026.

3. Not during the Christmas period​

Major governing bodies usually avoid December–early January for big announcements because:
  • Media staff are thinner
  • Football calendar is crowded
  • Public attention is scattered
    So January becomes the earliest plausible month.

4. February is a clean, practical month​

February sits:
  • After the transfer window closes
  • Before the title run-in heats up
  • In a quieter media period when the Premier League can control the narrative
    This makes it a strategic time to release a politically sensitive verdict.

5. Why Thursday at 11 AM?​


UK regulatory bodies and sports commissions often release decisions:
  • Mid-week (to avoid weekend overshadowing)
  • Late morning (to hit peak news cycles)

Thursday at 11:00 aligns with this pattern.
Click to expand...
CoPilot this morning says...

The verdict on Manchester City’s 115 Premier League charges has been repeatedly delayed. Here’s the latest:
  • The independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024, but no decision has been announced yet.
  • Multiple reports suggest the Premier League initially hoped for a ruling in spring or summer 2025, then during the October international break (4–18 October). However, that window passed without an outcome.
  • As of mid-November 2025, insiders say the decision is still pending, partly due to internal Premier League politics (e.g., debate over chair Alison Brittain’s future) and the complexity of the case. There is no confirmed date, and some sources warn it could drag into 2026, especially if appeals follow. [onefootball.com], [manchester...news.co.uk], [express.co.uk]
Why the delay?
  • The case involves alleged breaches from 2009–2018, including inaccurate financial reporting and non-cooperation.
  • Legal processes are slow, and the Premier League has no control over the independent panel’s timeline.
  • Any verdict will likely trigger appeals, meaning the saga could continue well beyond the initial ruling. [sportbible.com], [si.com]

Bottom line: There is no official announcement date, but the earliest realistic expectation now seems to be sometime in 2026, unless the commission surprises everyone with a decision soon.

Sorry chaps...
 
Manchester1894 said:
Starting to think we've given that much evidence it'll take till 2030 for the panel to read it
Click to expand...
I do wonder if City purposely provided so much evidence in the knowledge it would take such a long time that the PL would start to whinge, which they did a while back, with a long term strategy that any further charges (once we’re cleared of these) would be especially unattractive.
 
DiscoSteve said:
CoPilot this morning says...

The verdict on Manchester City’s 115 Premier League charges has been repeatedly delayed. Here’s the latest:
  • The independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024, but no decision has been announced yet.
  • Multiple reports suggest the Premier League initially hoped for a ruling in spring or summer 2025, then during the October international break (4–18 October). However, that window passed without an outcome.
  • As of mid-November 2025, insiders say the decision is still pending, partly due to internal Premier League politics (e.g., debate over chair Alison Brittain’s future) and the complexity of the case. There is no confirmed date, and some sources warn it could drag into 2026, especially if appeals follow. [onefootball.com], [manchester...news.co.uk], [express.co.uk]
Why the delay?
  • The case involves alleged breaches from 2009–2018, including inaccurate financial reporting and non-cooperation.
  • Legal processes are slow, and the Premier League has no control over the independent panel’s timeline.
  • Any verdict will likely trigger appeals, meaning the saga could continue well beyond the initial ruling. [sportbible.com], [si.com]

Bottom line: There is no official announcement date, but the earliest realistic expectation now seems to be sometime in 2026, unless the commission surprises everyone with a decision soon.

Sorry chaps...
Click to expand...
So I went on to ask to ask about the appeal process and how long it could extend this case.

Naturally even Copilot assumed the PL would win (FFS)...

1. Initial Verdict​

  • The independent commission delivers its ruling on the 115 charges.
  • If Manchester City are found guilty, sanctions could include fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from the league.
2. Right to Appeal
  • Manchester City can appeal the decision to an independent appeal board appointed by the Premier League.
  • This board is separate from the original commission and reviews the case from scratch, considering evidence and arguments again.
3. Potential Escalation
  • If City lose the appeal, they can take the matter to UK courts under arbitration law.
  • In extreme cases, they could escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), especially if UEFA-related implications arise.
4. Timeline Impact
  • Appeal board stage: Could take 6–12 months after the initial verdict.
  • Court challenges: Add another 12–18 months, depending on complexity.
  • CAS involvement: Adds 6–12 months more if pursued.
Overall Estimate
  • If the verdict comes in early 2026, the full process (including appeals) could push the final resolution into 2027 or beyond.
So naturally I then asked "what about if manchester city win?"

If Manchester City win the case (i.e., all or most charges are dismissed), here’s what happens:
  • The independent commission clears City of wrongdoing.
  • No sanctions (points deduction, fines, or expulsion) are applied.
  • The Premier League bears the reputational hit for a lengthy and costly investigation.
(here's the interesting bit...)
  • The Premier League cannot appeal to overturn the verdict because the commission is independent and final within league rules.
  • However, the Premier League could seek judicial review in UK courts if they believe the process was flawed (rare and difficult to succeed)

  • City may pursue damages or legal costs against the Premier League for reputational harm and expenses.
  • This could lead to civil litigation, but that’s separate from the sporting case.

  • If City win outright, the sporting case ends immediately.
  • Any civil claims could take 1–2 years, but they won’t affect league standings or future participation.

Here’s the timeline comparison for both scenarios:
JSON-preview (1).png

SO according to this little diagram, looks like we'll not be finally rid of this until end of 2027 (if we win) or into 2029 (if we don't)!!!!! FFS
 
DiscoSteve said:
So I went on to ask to ask about the appeal process and how long it could extend this case.

Naturally even Copilot assumed the PL would win (FFS)...

1. Initial Verdict​

  • The independent commission delivers its ruling on the 115 charges.
  • If Manchester City are found guilty, sanctions could include fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from the league.
2. Right to Appeal
  • Manchester City can appeal the decision to an independent appeal board appointed by the Premier League.
  • This board is separate from the original commission and reviews the case from scratch, considering evidence and arguments again.
3. Potential Escalation
  • If City lose the appeal, they can take the matter to UK courts under arbitration law.
  • In extreme cases, they could escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), especially if UEFA-related implications arise.
4. Timeline Impact
  • Appeal board stage: Could take 6–12 months after the initial verdict.
  • Court challenges: Add another 12–18 months, depending on complexity.
  • CAS involvement: Adds 6–12 months more if pursued.
Overall Estimate
  • If the verdict comes in early 2026, the full process (including appeals) could push the final resolution into 2027 or beyond.
So naturally I then asked "what about if manchester city win?"

If Manchester City win the case (i.e., all or most charges are dismissed), here’s what happens:
  • The independent commission clears City of wrongdoing.
  • No sanctions (points deduction, fines, or expulsion) are applied.
  • The Premier League bears the reputational hit for a lengthy and costly investigation.
(here's the interesting bit...)
  • The Premier League cannot appeal to overturn the verdict because the commission is independent and final within league rules.
  • However, the Premier League could seek judicial review in UK courts if they believe the process was flawed (rare and difficult to succeed)

  • City may pursue damages or legal costs against the Premier League for reputational harm and expenses.
  • This could lead to civil litigation, but that’s separate from the sporting case.

  • If City win outright, the sporting case ends immediately.
  • Any civil claims could take 1–2 years, but they won’t affect league standings or future participation.

Here’s the timeline comparison for both scenarios:
View attachment 175098

SO according to this little diagram, looks like we'll not be finally rid of this until end of 2027 (if we win) or into 2029 (if we don't)!!!!! FFS
Click to expand...
It is wrong in a number of respects. In fact, most of it is wrong. Ignore.
 
DiscoSteve said:
So I went on to ask to ask about the appeal process and how long it could extend this case.

Naturally even Copilot assumed the PL would win (FFS)...

1. Initial Verdict​

  • The independent commission delivers its ruling on the 115 charges.
  • If Manchester City are found guilty, sanctions could include fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from the league.
2. Right to Appeal
  • Manchester City can appeal the decision to an independent appeal board appointed by the Premier League.
  • This board is separate from the original commission and reviews the case from scratch, considering evidence and arguments again.
3. Potential Escalation
  • If City lose the appeal, they can take the matter to UK courts under arbitration law.
  • In extreme cases, they could escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), especially if UEFA-related implications arise.
4. Timeline Impact
  • Appeal board stage: Could take 6–12 months after the initial verdict.
  • Court challenges: Add another 12–18 months, depending on complexity.
  • CAS involvement: Adds 6–12 months more if pursued.
Overall Estimate
  • If the verdict comes in early 2026, the full process (including appeals) could push the final resolution into 2027 or beyond.
So naturally I then asked "what about if manchester city win?"

If Manchester City win the case (i.e., all or most charges are dismissed), here’s what happens:
  • The independent commission clears City of wrongdoing.
  • No sanctions (points deduction, fines, or expulsion) are applied.
  • The Premier League bears the reputational hit for a lengthy and costly investigation.
(here's the interesting bit...)
  • The Premier League cannot appeal to overturn the verdict because the commission is independent and final within league rules.
  • However, the Premier League could seek judicial review in UK courts if they believe the process was flawed (rare and difficult to succeed)

  • City may pursue damages or legal costs against the Premier League for reputational harm and expenses.
  • This could lead to civil litigation, but that’s separate from the sporting case.

  • If City win outright, the sporting case ends immediately.
  • Any civil claims could take 1–2 years, but they won’t affect league standings or future participation.

Here’s the timeline comparison for both scenarios:
View attachment 175098

SO according to this little diagram, looks like we'll not be finally rid of this until end of 2027 (if we win) or into 2029 (if we don't)!!!!! FFS
Click to expand...
Mostly wrong
The appeal grounds must be limited to a point of law, a serious procedural irregularity causing substantial injustice, or a challenge to the tribunal's substantive jurisdiction not the verdict
An appeal to CAS is not possible as part of being a PL club is agreeing to the arbitration process which exclude CAS
 
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