Arsenal chief executive officer Richard Garlick has become the latest senior figure within English football to call for a speedier resolution to the long-running case by the Premier League against Manchester City.
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The saga involving those at the Etihad Stadium has hung over the Premier League for more than three years, with Manchester City first charged with more than 100 alleged breaches of the competition’s financial regulations back in February 2023.
Although the disciplinary hearing concluded more than 18 months ago, an independent commission is yet to deliver its ruling - much to the chagrin of fans and figures on both sides. City have consistently, and vigorously, denied any wrongdoing throughout.
Now, Arsenal's chief executive officer Richard Garlick has been asked by BBC Sport whether the length of the process involving Manchester City had become a source of frustration for those at Arsenal, in turn making little attempt to disguise his feelings.
Garlick: I just hope there is a solution very quickly
“It has gone on for a while,” Garlick said. “Everybody - the league and the teams - would want the clarity around what’s going to happen next.
“But it’s not something that I can control. It’s not something that I can speculate on. And I just hope that there is a solution very quickly.”
Senior figures at rival clubs have seemed divided on whether or not to publicly comment on the case, while former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was among the more vocal examples, having previously described the wait as having gone on “far too long” last year.
Richard Garlick’s latest comments also arrive hot on the heels of those from Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who recently conceded that proceedings had taken “longer than expected”, while stressing that the process must be allowed to reach its natural conclusion.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters has admitted that the process surrounding Manchester City's 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is taking longer than expected.cityxtra.co.ukRichard Masters Issues Update on Man City's 115 Charges As Premier League CEO Admits Delay
Premier League CEO Richard Masters has admitted that the process surrounding Manchester City's 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is taking longer than expected.
Why are Manchester City’s rivals frustrated?
Behind the scenes, the mood among a number of top-flight clubs is said to be one of mounting impatience, with BBC Sport having reported that officials at several clubs have privately voiced their frustrations this month, with one suggesting the league ought to be actively building a system capable of delivering swifter outcomes.
The issue of cost is also growing more severe, with the Premier League understood to have spent in the region of £45 million on legal bills during the 2023/24 season alone over its financial rules, and there is unease at the spiralling expense of such a drawn-out battle.
There is a competitive edge to the frustration as well as Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are all reported to have served legal notices on Manchester City in 2024, reserving the right to pursue compensation should the club ultimately be found guilty, with some said to have estimated potential losses in excess of £100 million.
Those clubs may feel emboldened by June’s ruling that ordered Everton to pay Burnley £35 million in compensation over the impact of a separate financial breach.
What are the charges against Manchester City?
The charges Manchester City are contesting relate mainly to an alleged failure to provide accurate financial information - including details of player and manager payments - across the 2009/10 season through to 2017/18 season, a failure to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play rules between 2013/14 and 2017/18, and alleged breaches of the Premier League’s own profitability and sustainability rules from 2015/16 to 2017/18.
The club also face multiple charges of failing to co-operate with the league’s investigation between December 2018 and February 2023.
Every allegation has been firmly denied by the club.
The uncertainty around Manchester City's case has done little to temper the club’s ambition, with the club-record £116 million signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson headlining the ongoing summer transfer window.
Manchester City's new club-record signing Elliot Anderson was withdrawn with an injury in the second-half of their 2026/27 Premier League opener against Bournemouth.cityxtra.co.ukElliot Anderson Hauled Off With Injury Worry in Man City's Premier League Opener Against Bournemouth
Manchester City's new club-record signing Elliot Anderson was withdrawn with an injury in the second-half of their 2026/27 Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Indeed, City have committed close to £700 million on new players since the charges were brought in February 2023, winning six major trophies along the way, including their historic European treble achievement just months after being charges.
As a new season gets underway across all competitions for Enzo Maresca and Manchester City, though, the fundamental question remains unanswered and the wait for all parties concerned in the Etihad Stadium's legal battles goes on.