PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

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
 
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...
If they do give an earlier result can we accuse them of not being thorough enough and skimping their task?
 
We have all read the opinions of other fans if found guilty,relegation,points reduction,fines etc.But on the other hand what happens to the clubs who pushed for the 115-130 charges,do they just walk away,what are their punishments forget the whip round to pay off our lawyers fee.What about the PL rules regarding the respect of other clubs,.The Red Cartel plus Spurs,what is their punishments for pushing this case for years,,if we were found guilty the payoff to other clubs will be enormous,but if innocent can we sue all the clubs who agreed to go for City,Comments.
 
wahablue said:
We have all read the opinions of other fans if found guilty,relegation,points reduction,fines etc.But on the other hand what happens to the clubs who pushed for the 115-130 charges,do they just walk away,what are their punishments forget the whip round to pay off our lawyers fee.What about the PL rules regarding the respect of other clubs,.The Red Cartel plus Spurs,what is their punishments for pushing this case for years,,if we were found guilty the payoff to other clubs will be enormous,but if innocent can we sue all the clubs who agreed to go for City,Comments.
Click to expand...
It's funny how those rules on acting with good faith towards other clubs never got used when Liverpool hacked our Scout7 database, or when Klopp, Henry and others made extremely disrespectful comments about our finances. Or when a number of them signed a letter on Arsenal-headed notepaper requesting our suspension from UEFA competitions be upheld quickly.
 
I wonder if the timescale that this case is providing could have been predicted?

All legal opinion at least on this Forum has up to now suggested it would take more time because of its complexity.

Is it possible that complexity could have been predicted prior to allegation ie deliberately complicated simply to delay or prolong it's outcome by the PL.

If so is that bad faith?
 
SilverFox2 said:
I wonder if the timescale that this case is providing could have been predicted?

All legal opinion at least on this Forum has up to now suggested it would take more time because of its complexity.

Is it possible that complexity could have been predicted prior to allegation ie deliberately complicated simply to delay or prolong it's outcome by the PL.

If so is that bad faith?
Click to expand...
I thought it was us who were delaying it?

;)
 
SilverFox2 said:
I wonder if the timescale that this case is providing could have been predicted?

All legal opinion at least on this Forum has up to now suggested it would take more time because of its complexity.

Is it possible that complexity could have been predicted prior to allegation ie deliberately complicated simply to delay or prolong it's outcome by the PL.

If so is that bad faith?
Click to expand...
The thing I don’t understand is why the parties have apparently not been given broad timescales. The PL is paying for the panel and will have to budget for the costs over several years. There must have been advance discussions to agree likely milestones in the contract. That said given Masters’ inexperience and stupidity perhaps nothing was put in place. Perhaps the PL just signed off a blank cheque without assessing the risk.
 
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