A decision regarding Manchester City's 115 alleged charges is claimed to be edging closer, with Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League watching on
A general view inside the Etihad Stadium
Man City face 115 charges over alleged financial rule breaches, which they deny (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has suggested a verdict on Manchester City's 115 charges is drawing nearer as Liverpool watch on. City have found themselves under scrutiny for charges brought by the Premier League for more than 115 alleged breaches during a period spanning 2009 to 2018.
City have remained resolute in their stance that they are not guilty of any misconduct, but the allegations have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for potential points deductions and relegation. And now Maguire has indicated that a ruling on City's charges is imminent after both the prosecution and defence were required to examine an estimated half a million pieces of evidence.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, he said: "The hearing took place over a period of around about 10 weeks, we reckon there's probably about half a million pieces of evidence that were presented by both the prosecution and the defence. The hearings finished in the second week of December so we're now 14 months with silence.
"So, by the cases similar to a fraud case, I think we're probably into the final reaches of getting a decision. I think part of the challenge has been that because there are three very senior people who are on the court, who are making that final judgement, getting those three together at the same time is actually very difficult.
"So that's delayed the case, it should be resolved in the next few months, but we said this before, Pep was saying in last February that he was expecting something. There's an awful lot of evidence to go through and the charges are very, very serious so you've got enough evidence.
"I absolutely agree if it comes out the week before the end of the season, it would be catastrophic in many ways. From what I understand, both the Premier League and Manchester City will probably be given 24 hours notice of the verdict to allow their lawyers to go away and just check the small print of it.
"I absolutely agree if it comes out the week before the end of the season, it would be catastrophic in many ways. From what I understand, both the Premier League and Manchester City will probably be given 24 hours notice of the verdict to allow their lawyers to go away and just check the small print of it.
"Then it could be at point in time, it could be on the day of the World Cup final for all we know. The Premier League are completely out of this because they simply ask the commission to take place and they have no involvement at all."
Between 2009 and 2018, City claimed the Premier League title on three occasions, including the dramatic victory over Manchester United in 2012. Liverpool and the Red Devils also trailed behind City in the race to become champions in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
It was only when Pep Guardiola assumed control that the club secured a firm grip on the summit of English football.
However, Maguire anticipates the decision to be intricate, regardless of the outcome. He stated: "We've got well over a hundred charges. We've got well over 115 charges when you actually go through the small print.
"So what happens if it's 70-50 in terms of favour of the Premier League or favour of Manchester City? Certainly, when we had Manchester City themselves effectively charge the Premier League with these associated party transaction (APT) rules, both the Premier League and the club were claiming it as a victory trying to sort of sift that into some form of logic is going to be challenging.
"For example, if Manchester City are found guilty of non-cooperation, which I think is fairly likely as far as their relationship with the Premier League is concerned, they're likely to get a significant fine because that's what we saw happen with UEFA and the deductions there. If it's a points deduction, I think the Premier League will claim it is a victory. So we'll just have to wait and see."
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