Chaos over City’s sanction: The ‘City case’ is going to be a Soap Opera
The Laywer reports that Manchester City and the Premier League are preparing their closing arguments in the 'trial of the century', but the resolution of the case, according to The Times, could be delayed... until next season!
Although Manchester City has had enough of the European tragedy against Feyenoord (3-3) and the six-match winless streak for Pep Guardiola’s men, the Citizens should not forget that the so-called ‘trial of the century’, in which the Manchester team has been accused of committing more than 100 financial irregularities and breaching the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play, is still ongoing. At this time, as reported by the website The Lawwer, “the hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London has been suspended while the two parties, Manchester City and the Premier League, prepare their final arguments.”
Although everything was going according to plan, with the hearing starting in mid-September, lasting around 10 weeks and the verdict to be announced in 2025, the final resolution of the case could generate, according to the British newspaper The Times, “a huge headache for the Premier League”. After these final arguments, which will begin in November, the independent Commission judging the case could take “three months or more” to issue its verdict.
Added to this is the already known possibility that either side, Manchester City or the Premier League, could appeal the ruling depending on what the independent commission decides. Thus, The Times explains,
“the case against Manchester City for 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules, eventually raised to 130, may not be concluded before the end of this season. If Manchester City or the Premier League were to appeal the ruling, it would probably take several more months. There is a good chance that any appeal will not be resolved before the end of May. ”
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Why is this a problem for the English league? Should the team be managed by Pep Guardiola, who has already stated that he would stay at the club even if they are relegated, is found guilty, the possible sanctions range from financial fines and points deductions to relegation or expulsion from the competition, as well as the possible withdrawal of titles. If we reach May, when the 2024-2025 Premier League ends and the teams that will be relegated are already known, without a final resolution after the corresponding appeals, the English league would have a serious problem in setting up the 2025-2026 campaign.
The Premier League announced its investigation in February 2023 and, more than two years later, it may still not be resolved, as experts had already predicted. “Legal experts say it is impossible to predict how long Manchester City’s will last,” adds The Times. While the Citizens continue to prolong their agony on the pitch, after squandering what would have been their first three points after five consecutive defeats, the conclusion of the ‘trial of the century’ puts the Premier League on the ropes.