A decision on the 115 alleged charges against Manchester City for breaching Premier League financial rules is not expected to be made public until the spring, according to reports.
The news comes as Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called for a swift resolution to the case, after City were hit with the charges in February 2023.
It was also revealed that the English league champion’s case had been brought forward from November to start in mid-September.
Sky Sports have stated that the decision is “unlikely to be made public before the spring”, despite previous reports suggesting City could learn his fate in January.
The hearing, which will be conducted by an independent commission, is expected to last about 10 weeks.
The decision on the 115 charges against Manchester City for breaching financial rules is unlikely to be made public until spring 2025.
Meanwhile, Richard Masters has called for a swift resolution to the hearing between the league and City.
The charges relate to a series of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules by City between 2009 and 2018. During that period, the Cityzens won three league titles.
The commission will then meet to consider the facts of the case, which Sky Sports said could take several months to review due to “the volume of charges and the amount of information to be reviewed.”
City ran into trouble in February 2023 after being accused of violating league financial rules for nine seasons between 2009 and 2018.
Of the 115 charges, City face 54 allegations of failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18. They also face 14 charges of failing to provide accurate financial reports on player and manager remuneration during those seasons.
They also face 35 charges of failing to comply with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to the present.
Masters, for his part, has asked for the case to be resolved quickly.
“I think it’s time this was sorted out,” he told BBC sports journalist Dan Roan.
According to BBC sports journalist Dan Roan, Masters had hoped the case could be resolved quickly.
| Type of infringement | Number of charges related to non-compliance | Trial date | Date of decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18 | 54 | ||
| Accurate financial reports on player and management remuneration were not provided from 2009-10 to 2017-18 | 14 | ||
| Non-compliance with UEFA regulations, including Club and Licensing regulations and Financial Fair Play | 5 | Fall 2024 | Summer 2025 |
| Failure to comply with Premier League profitability and sustainability rules from the 2015-16 season up to and including the 2017-18 season | 7 | ||
| Lack of cooperation with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to the present | 35 |
‘This has been going on for several years and I think it is clear that the case needs to be heard and responded to.
The league champions, who won three titles between 2009 and 2018, were accused of failing to provide accurate financial information and details of payments to players and coaches. But City have denied any wrongdoing.
Masters added to Sky Sports: “Everyone wants this to be resolved and I agree with that. I think it needs to be resolved.”
He added: “It’s not in our hands, it’s in the hands of an independent panel. They are the ones in charge of determining the timing and the development of the process and we should let them get on with it.”
The hearing against Manchester City over their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules is expected to take place next month.
City have launched separate legal action against the Premier League over financial rules
However, the city could appeal some of the charges filed against them if they are found guilty of violations, which would further prolong the process.
However, the city could appeal some of the charges filed against them if they were found guilty of violations, which would further prolong the process.
If found guilty they could face a maximum penalty of expulsion from the top division.
They could also find themselves in the same boat as Everton and Nottingham Forest, who had points deducted last season after the two clubs breached the league’s profit and sustainability rules.
Everton have suffered two deductions during the 2023-24 season relating to interest payments linked to their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. The Toffees were first fined 10 points, which was reduced to six following a successful appeal. They were then penalised a further two points.
Meanwhile, Forest were docked four points after admitting breaching league rules and City could find themselves in a similar position and could also incur a fine.
The 2023-24 champions have also launched separate legal proceedings against the Premier League and are suing the Premier League over its new financial rules.
Mail Sport understands City have submitted a 165-page legal document claiming they are the victim of “discrimination” and that regulations passed by their league rivals are inhibiting their success.
Masters, who has remained noncommittal about when City’s hearing into its 115 alleged breaches of financial rules would take place, also said he could not discuss the separate legal case.
The Premier League supremo admitted the situation surrounding the 115 allegations against City had caused some “uncertainty and frustration” but the league was focused on ensuring there was fair competition between its members.
“It’s important and I understand that it creates uncertainty and some frustration, but there is no alternative to enforcing the rules, which we all agree to at the start of each season,” Masters told Sky Sports.
“They looked everyone in the eye, shook hands and said they would abide by these rules. That’s why the Premier League has to uphold them, regardless of the difficulties or frustrations that might cause.”
“It’s part of maintaining and protecting the Premier League competition, its core values - the competition. And that’s really my role and what I want to continue to do.”