Manchester City were charged with 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules in February 2023, but no result has arrived.
A general view outside the stadium during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Coventry City at Etihad S
Manchester City are awaiting the outcome of their 115 charges case.
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City's legal battle with the Premier League over their 115 alleged breaches has reportedly cost each party upwards of £100million, with appeals processes potentially already initiated, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire. City were accused of breaching the league's financial regulations in February 2023 but are still awaiting a verdict.
Maguire, who admits he has no concrete knowledge to back up his theory, said that he would not be surprised if an appeal had already been launched. He pointed out a similar situation regarding Chelsea, when details only began to be released following an appeal into their 78 charges.
A 12-week hearing examining the allegations against City concluded in December 2024.
With the two-year milestone looming, the independent commission has yet to release a judgment on the complex case, with City firmly denying the accusations they're facing.
"We are probably talking hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pieces of evidence, and they have to be gone through with a fine-tooth comb," Maguire said on the Rest is Football podcast.
"We saw with the Chelsea case, where Chelsea had 78 charges, that the verdict was given and Chelsea effectively appealed and that took another three or four months to work out."
"So we could be in a situation, and I have no evidence to back this up, that there has been a decision made on Manchester City and either the Premier League or Manchester City have immediately appealed and we are now actually working out way through the appeal process to get a final, final answer. We didn't know that (there was an appeal) in terms of Chelsea."
Express Sport have contacted Manchester City and the Premier League.
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In May, it was suggested that the result could still be two years away. The sheer magnitude of the charges and gravity of the allegations have guaranteed a lengthy wait for what remains an unprecedented case in English football.
Among City's charges are 54 allegations of failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009 until 2018. They also face 14 alleged breaches of failing to provide accurate financial reports of player and manager compensation over the same period.
Premier League trophy
The outcome of the Premier League's legal battle with Manchester City is still unknown (Image: Getty Images)
"We are now almost two years since the commission first sat, it commenced in September 2024," Maguire added. "It took around about 10-12 weeks to hear all the evidence. As one lawyer said to me, if there are 115 charges, there are 115 defences, so it makes it difficult.
"You have got three people sitting on the commission, all of whom are very high-powered people in their own right, so getting them into the same room at the same time over the course of the last 18-20 months has proven to be very difficult.
"Then, from what I understand and there has been very much a news blackout, you have got to give the people and professionals involved a lot of credit. There are no leaks, no WhatsApp groups with gossip."
The lengthy delay is proving financially punishing for both the Premier League and City. Maguire believes both parties will have accumulated nine-figure legal bills.
"These charges are so serious that it is difficult to see how the board of Manchester City could survive if they lose the case and it would be hugely embarrassing for the Premier League if they lose the case because the legal costs for both parties are probably in excess of £100m," Maguire explained.
Premier League chief Richard Masters has conceded that proceedings have dragged on far longer than anticipated. Speaking last month, he indicated he was unable to shed any light on developments and stressed that due process must be observed.
"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," he said. "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.
"I've already said the commission need the time and the space to do their job," he added. "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."