Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has admitted that the verdict on Man City‘s 100+ charges has taken “longer than expected,” but could offer no new timeline.
Man City were first charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League‘s financial rules in February 2023, with a 12-week independent hearing later concluding in December 2024.
But despite more than three years passing since the charges were first brought, there has been no verdict on City’s case.
Ahead of the new season, Masters made himself available to the press, and the topic was always going to be on the agenda. However, he could offer no new timeline for a verdict.
“I can’t pass any real comment, or provide anything new today on it,” he told the BBC.
Explainer: Man City’s 115 Premier League Charges
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Category of Alleged Breach Charges
Financial Reporting: Failure to provide “accurate and up-to-date” financial info (2009–2018). 54
Non-Cooperation: Failure to assist Premier League investigations (2018–2023). 35
Remuneration: Failure to disclose full manager & player pay (2009–2016). 14
PSR & Sustainability: Breaches of Profitability & Sustainability rules (2015–2018). 7
UEFA Compliance: Failure to comply with UEFA FFP regulations. 5
Total Charges 115
Current Status (August 2026): The independent hearing concluded in December 2024, but 19 months of silence has followed. Man City strenuously deny all charges, potential punishments range from heavy fines and 60-point deductions to expulsion from the league.
“I do accept it is taking longer than expected, and I understand that people want to find out as soon as possible what is going on. But I simply can’t provide that, our rules are very clear.”
He added: “It’s hugely complex, the hearing took 12 weeks, and so it has taken longer than expected [to get a verdict].”
Other clubs have faced fines and point deductions, albeit with significantly fewer rule breaches, in the time since City were charged, exacerbating the frustration across the league.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca during the press conference at the CFA, Manchester. Picture date: Friday July 24, 2026.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca during the press conference at the CFA, Manchester. Picture date: Friday July 24, 2026.
While the fundamental part of the process is that the truth prevails, the fact that there remain few signs of an end to the saga is demoralising ahead of the new campaign.
Masters insists the process with the independent commission must be allowed to be carried out in full, and only when there is a decision to be announced can further details emerge.
“Our rules are very clear about that – I have to keep everything confidential until we’re ready to hand down a decision and be clear about it,” Masters told Sky Sports.
“I can’t give any update on timing or what’s happening. There’s only one available route through this, which is to allow the process to take its course.
“It has taken longer than expected, and I do understand the frustrations.
“In the end, the Premier League‘s role is to put allegations, if the evidence is strong enough, in front of an independent commission and allow that commission to establish the truth, and that shouldn’t be qualified by the amount of time it takes to get there.”
New Man City boss Enzo Maresca recently insisted he is not concerned about the ongoing wait for a verdict, as the club’s transfer spending continues without second thought.
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Henry 1982
Henry 1982