Man City 115 charges bombshell drops as journalist reveals what he's been told about titles being stripped

An update on Manchester City's 115 charges case with the Premier League, with a respected journalist providing details on whether the club will be stripped of any titles.

City were accused of 115 breaches of financial rules by the Premier League in February 2023 - though it has been reported that the real number may be as high as 130 due to confusion over the breakdown of the charges.

The hearing started in September, before closing arguments were heard on December 6.

A verdict has not yet been reached, with an unnamed three-person panel now reviewing proceedings before making their call on a call which will have a seismic impact on English football.

City's charges relate to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The club have always strenuously denied all changes and say their defence is supported by a "body of irrefutable evidence".

According to BBC Sport, should City be found guilty, the commission would be able enforce punishments such as a potential points deduction or relegation.

Meanwhile, finance expert Kieran Maguire, has said there are "very narrow grounds for appeal" from a City perspective if they were to lose the case.

However, in conversation with Sky News at the Business of Football summit, journalists and experts discussed whether City could have their eight Premier League titles stripped.

Journalist weighs in on Man City case

Matt Hughes, formerly of the Times, claimed that from people he has spoken to, "there seems to be no appetite" to take respective punishment and instead any sanctions will relate to moving forward.

Simon Leaf, Head of Sport and Commercial & Technology Lawyer at Mishcon de Reya was also sceptical and highlighted the difficulties of legal challenges from other clubs feeling as though they warrant compensation if City were to be found guilty.

Manchester City are awaiting a verdict from the Premier League. Image: Getty

"We don't know what the outcome will be," he stated.

"I suspect, particularly when money is involved, there will be certain clubs feeling they are entitled to merit payments in the table or even bonuses from sponsors for finishing in a different position. I would say it is too early to say."

Martin Lipton from The Sun shared the same view but also pointed out that if City were to have titles taken off them, the league's most memorable moment would effectively be buried because it is the Blues who are responsible for creating it back in 2012 against Queens Park Rangers.

Lipton weighed in, saying: "Obviously there's the possibility of clubs making compensation claims against City were they to be found guilty under the rulebook as it stands. If you were to strip titles for example, the single most iconic moment in the history of the Premier League - Sergio Aguero's 94th minute goal against QPR to win the league - didn't happen. You just can't rewrite history to that extent."

Manchester City won their first Premier League title in 2012. Image: Getty

In October, Jose Mourinho expressed optimism at having another Premier League title added to his collection. The Fenerbahce reminded everyone that his Manchester United finished second to City in the 2017/18 Premier League season where they accrued a record 100 points.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of a reunion with United, Mourinho said: "I think we still have a chance to win that league because maybe they punish Man City with points, and maybe we win that league. Then they have to pay me the bonus and give me my medal."

At the start of February, City boss Pep Guardiola said the verdict could be reached in “one month”.

Speaking on NBC, David Ornstein of The Athletic claimed that the verdict will arrive in one or two months and stressed that the club are " totally confident they will be exonerated and prove their innocence" - hence their spending spree in the January transfer window.