The investigation into Manchester City’s alleged breaches of Premier League rules has been ongoing since December 2018, following disclosures revealed by Football Leaks the previous month. The Premier League initially launched its inquiry after allegations concerning the club’s sponsorship arrangements surfaced, eventually bringing formal charges in February 2023. A disciplinary hearing was held in the autumn of 2024 and concluded in December that year, but the three-person commission responsible for adjudicating the matter has yet to deliver a ruling.
The commission overseeing the case comprises senior legal professionals, including former judges, though their identities are being kept confidential to prevent potential targeting. Initial reports varied on the number of alleged breaches, with figures ranging from 115 to 130. This discrepancy arose because the original charges cited 115 breaches, but subsequent corrections increased the total to 130.
The protracted timeline for reaching a verdict is attributed to several factors. The panel members have taken on other cases simultaneously, and the complexity of the accusations requires meticulous examination of numerous details. Comparisons have been made to other lengthy legal proceedings, such as a High Court case involving Ukraine’s Privatbank, which took 21 months to resolve after a two-month trial—comparable to the duration since Manchester City’s hearing concluded.
Additionally, the commission is likely mindful that any adverse findings against Manchester City would be vigorously contested in appeals, given the club’s robust legal representation led by Lord Pannick KC. This consideration underscores the need for the decision to be legally sound and defensible.
Frustration over the delay is evident among other Premier League clubs, who have expressed impatience with the prolonged process. While the Premier League has refrained from commenting publicly, it implemented new arbitration rules last year requiring commission members to affirm their capacity to handle cases promptly and efficiently.
The charges against Manchester City include inaccurate financial reporting spanning nine seasons from 2009-10 to 2017-18, failure to cooperate with investigations and the submission of documents over five seasons from 2018-19 to 2022-23, and incomplete reporting of former manager Roberto Mancini’s remuneration across four seasons from 2009 to 2013. Additionally, the club is accused of withholding full details of player salaries over six seasons from 2010-11 to 2015-16. Manchester City has consistently maintained that it possesses “irrefutable evidence” to refute the allegations.