The wait continues for the final verdict on Manchester City's 114 financial rule breaches as attention circles around the Premier League's judgement.
Global chief executive of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, Emmanuel Macedo de Medeiros, has described the financial charges as a matter of high importance that would determine the integrity of football.
After an independent commission found the Etihad Stadium outfit guilty of the financial allegations, speculation and anxiety have grown that the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League winners could be stripped of their domestic titles in England.
Manchester City, however, have launched an appeal against the verdict, but the SIGA chief insists justice must be served, as the case could be a litmus test for the integrity of European football.
"This is also a test, not just for the Premier League and the credibility of the whole system, it is a test for the entirety of European football," Medeiros told the Press Association.
"It has involved rivers of ink and hours and hours of public debate. It is a matter of utmost interest for the football community.
"But there are no reasons for speculating regarding due process, and I'm pretty sure that the case will be finished sooner rather than later. Justice is served when it is served on the right time, and I think everyone is aware of that and conscious about their responsibilities."
SIGA chief urges patience as Manchester City await charges verdict
The financial breaches levelled against Manchester City took place between 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons but the entire investigation took 21 months.
City were referred by the Premier League to an independent commission in February 2023 and in September 2026, they were found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged breaches.
Given the lengthy timeline of events, and following their appeal before the October 2 deadline, Medeiros calls for patience for the law to take its full course.
"I understand the fans' frustration, and I understand also the fans' anguish, especially those who follow and support Manchester City," he added.
"This is not a pleasant situation for anybody, but the law is the law, and it must be served on its own time, without constraints.
"Being a lawyer, I know that justice sometimes is served slowly. That is not because those who are in charge of the procedures are lazy, or they neglect their duties. It's because there cannot be room for doubt. There cannot be room for failure.
"There cannot be any breach of the constitutional rights that those who are being scrutinised or judged enjoy. But I think it's fair to say that the process is coming to an end."
Manchester City have tumbled from their fine start to the Premier League season, conceding three straight league defeats before the international break.
They are third in the league table with six points behind leaders Arsenal.
