Sports lawyer Tom Murray has claimed that there could still be a wait to hear a verdict on the 115 charges put against Manchester City by the Premier League, but believes the club will be liable on some of the charges.
It comes as the process surrounding the hearing into the club continues to be drawn out, with the original statement on the charges coming back in 2023, while the hearing concluded in late 2024.
The allegations from the Premier League span a nine-year period from 2009 until 2018, with accusations made surrounding the breaching of financial rules.
Those charges include alleged breaches of failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information, failure to provide accurate manager and player compensation figures, and a lack of cooperation during the investigation period. Manchester City deny any wrongdoing.
However, as the verdict from the hearing draws on, speculation continues to run rife over the situation at the Etihad Stadium, and when there will finally be some answers on the charges.
Man City 115 Charges Latest
Man City kit with FIFA Club World Cup badge
Man City kit with FIFA Club World Cup badge
While the wait continues to see the outcome of the hearing into Manchester City's case with the Premier League, experts have chimed in with their view on the situation and what could happen next.
Sports lawyer Tom Murray, from Three Points law firm, gave some insight into the scenario after speaking to some barristers who have worked on the case.
Speaking to The Price of Football podcast, per the Mirror, he said: "I don't think anyone knows [the time frame for a verdict]. I've spoken to barristers working on the case, and even they don't know when the decision will be released. As much as I would like to speculate, I think it would be pointless.
"What do I think the outcome is going to be? I think Manchester City are going to be found liable, in breach of something. With the number of charges there are, I don't think they are going to get away with this."
He added: "But this is going to be strung out for as long as possible, and I think we can expect an appeal, and we'll be back in the same position. In two years' time, it wouldn't be surprising if we still don't have a final outcome."
It remains to be seen whether Man City will be found in breach of the charges placed against them, having denied it with strong statements in recent years.
However, as the verdict drags on, there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding the case, and it seems unlikely that much light will be shed on that until such a time when the final verdict is released.
Pep Guardiola On Man City Charges
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola
The ongoing hearing surrounding the Premier League and Manchester City have impacted few as much as Pep Guardiola, who has had to field questions about it since the charges were announced in 2023.
At the time, the manager called for a quick decision to be reached, claiming: "What I would like is for the Premier League, or the judges, to make [a decision] as soon as possible.
"Maybe we did something wrong, everyone will know it, and if we are like we believe we are, like we have done as a club for many years in the right way, then the people stop talking about that. We would love it tomorrow.
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"Hopefully they are not so busy, and judges can see it and listen to both sides, and at the end decide what is the best. Because in the end I know firmly that what we won on the pitch we deserve it, I don't have any doubts."
However, with the situation dragging out, it appears as though it is set to outlast the Catalan coach in the dugout, with reports that Guardiola will leave Man City at the end of the season recently emerging.
It means that, whatever the outcome, the fallout will land on the next manager to answer questions in the same way their predecessor did, whenever that verdict may arrive.