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Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, FFP, Football
Luke Davies
An update regarding the verdict of a hearing into Manchester City’s alleged breach of Premier League rules has emerged.
The hearing took place in front of an independent commission between September and December 2024.
The charges mainly relate to a nine-year period – between 2009 and 2018 – with the Premier League champions accused of various alleged breaches – all of which Manchester City Football Club deny.
City were charged with failing to provide accurate information, failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments, breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), failing to comply with UEFA regulations including financial fair play (FFP) and failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations.
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The club were initially accused of 115 alleged breaches but several other reports have suggested the true number is closer to 130.
A decision was expected to be made public in the first quarter of 2025 but now an update has emerged.
On Thursday (April 10), The Telegraph reported that a “verdict in the Premier League’s landmark court battle is now unlikely before the summer”.
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The report claims that although a verdict was expected by this point, no official deadline was ever set meaning there could still be a lengthy wait before the result of the hearing and any potential punishment arrive. The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to get underway on August 16 with it still unclear whether the verdict will be made public by this date.
In February, City head coach Pep Guardiola explained how he expected a verdict "next month" although March has been and gone with no further clue about the verdict.
Guardiola, 54, was asked about the case again ahead of his side's FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth in March, to which he replied: "Nothing changes in one more week, two more weeks.
"Three more weeks, four more weeks."
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It has now been over two years since the Premier League announced the charges against City, something the football club welcomed in a statement released in February 2023.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with," read the statement.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”