On Friday, Manchester City were reportedly found guilty on 114 of their 115 financial charges by the Premier League's independent commission.
The panel made the decision following years of extensive investigation, and with City expected to appeal the decision, the appeal and sanction process could extend the case for a considerable period.
Striver.Football seeks to find answers as to why it took so long for the panel to reach its reported findings more than three years after the Premier League brought the charges.
Why Did the Manchester City 115 Charges Verdict Take 21 Months?
Following a grueling, nearly three-month in-person hearing that concluded on December 6, 2024, the football world waited around 21 months after the hearing ended for the reported findings from the independent three-person commission. Several core factors explain this extraordinary duration:
Massive Scope and Structural Complexity: While the charges ultimately condensed into four primary categories (hidden remuneration, non-compliance with UEFA financial regulations, domestic profit and sustainability breaches, and failure to cooperate with investigators), the sheer volume of 115 counts spanning multiple historical periods created a substantial evidential and legal burden for the commission.
Unforecasted Disclosure Discoveries: The Athletic previously reported that the Premier League uncovered new lines of enquiry during the document disclosure process, adding further complexity to the case.
Collateral Legal Strategy: City also pursued separate legal challenges against the Premier League, including its challenge to the Associated Party Transaction (APT) regulations, creating another strand of litigation around the club's relationship with the League.
Concurrent External Workloads: Unlike fast-tracked Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) cases for clubs like Everton and Nottingham Forest, there was no non-negotiable seasonal backstop.
Panel members also had professional responsibilities outside the Manchester City proceedings.
Internal Judicial Debate: Speculation also points to the hypothetical possibility of internal disagreements among panel members over intricate legal points, though the eventual verdict proved decisive.
How Long Could the Manchester City Appeal and Sanction Process Take?
With the reported commission findings now known, the next stages will follow the Premier League's disciplinary and appeal procedures.
According to The Athletic, the upcoming phases, including sanctions and any appeals, could mean the complete resolution takes significant time.
Sources cited by The Athletic have indicated that they would be surprised if the entire process concludes in less than a year.
What the Manchester City Case Means for Football Governance
For analysts and football administrators, the prolonged trial highlights vital systemic takeaways:
The Absence of Strict Deadlines: Unlike some PSR cases involving fixed financial-assessment deadlines, the Manchester City proceedings have involved allegations dating back to earlier seasons and a lengthy independent disciplinary process.
The Interplay of Parallel Litigation: Parallel legal challenges regarding market definitions and commercial regulations can directly intersect with major disciplinary verdicts, complicating timelines.
Opaque Post-Verdict Hurdles: Publishing the commission's findings can involve confidentiality and redaction considerations because the proceedings are conducted privately.
