The hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against Manchester City has reportedly concluded, with the Premier League and its defending champions both delivering their closing arguments for their cases last week in London.
The champions [for the fourth straight time] have been accused of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules on more than 115 occasions in nine years between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, and of failing to cooperate with a subsequent investigation.
According to Mail Sport revelation, “closing arguments in a case with huge ramifications for English football were completed on Friday – with a three-man panel now considering the evidence before delivering a verdict in the coming months.”
Proceedings began on September 16 at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre and have been shrouded in secrecy. However, following a brief pause, both sides delivered their final shots last week in what has been a high-stakes battle.
The Mail Sport also reported that there is a high likelihood of an appeal against an impending verdict should an agreement not be reached. And, should that be the case, a final decision may not be delivered until the end of next season, with a state of damaging limbo continuing.
Manchester City’s alleged rule-breaking is claimed to have taken place over a 14-year period. The original 115 charges have been extended to a total of 130 after an administration issue.
City, however, have maintained their innocence and, in February 2023, insisted it welcomed the opportunity to present a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.
In October, the Liverpool Echo in a publication claimed Manchester City was expecting to receive legal notices from rival Premier League clubs, which reserved the right to seek damages if the eight-time Premier League champions are found guilty.
They are also alleged to have failed to provide full details of monies paid to players between 2010-11 and 2015-16 and failed to cooperate with the probe from 2018 to 2023.
That investigation, prompted by hacked material published in German media, has triggered astronomical legal costs for the league, which have raised concerns at a number of its clubs. News that the hearing is finally over will come as a relief to many.
The competition’s senior barrister is Adam Lewis KC while Lord Pannick is leading City’s defence. Both are from Blackstone Chambers.
German publication Der Spiegel first uncovered and put forward allegations of financial wrongdoing in November 2018. Therefore, as per the Limitation Act 1980, clubs across the Premier League only had until the end of last month to initiate proceedings.
If City are found guilty, it has been speculated in the national media that a potential punishment could range from a points deduction to relegation from the Premier League.
There were also reports of a potential much bigger punishment of relegation for the Champions. However, it is very unlikely as at least 15 Premier League Clubs would need to be in favor of demoting Pep Guardiola’s side.
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