The verdict on Manchester City's 115 financial charges is expected imminently with Sky Sports having sent a warning to their top pundits ahead of the announcement
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Sport
Updated 12:42, 18 Mar 2025
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher
Sky Sports pundits have been warned about coverage of Man City's charges verdict.
(Image: Getty Images)
Sky Sports has issued a stern warning to its high-profile pundits to 'stick to the facts' when the decision on Manchester City's financial charges is finally revealed.
The resolution of the City case, in which the club denies 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, is expected imminently. The legal tussle between City and the Premier League has ignited strong feelings among football fans from all clubs, and Sky Sports is keen to avoid fuelling the controversy with careless or frivolous comments from their pundits.
According to The Mail, a memo has been dispatched to pundits, including Man United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane, Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher, and ex-Man City star Micah Richards. It instructs them not to make 'snap judgements' when the verdict is announced.
The report also suggests that both parties may claim some form of victory regardless of the case outcome, and an appeal against any potential punishment is likely.
Sky has also distributed a document detailing the case facts for pundits and presenters to review. They have advised their on-air talent to allow themselves 'sufficient time to digest the outcome' before commenting, and encouraged viewers to get their information from Sky Sports News journalists as the story unfolds.
Sky Sports is committed to reporting the story accurately and wants to avoid generating any negative headlines due to a pundit misspeaking.
City have been charged with a variety of offences, including not providing accurate information on contracts, failing to present correct financial results, and not cooperating with the Premier League's investigation over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. They have consistently denied any misconduct.
Speculations about potential penalties, such as fines, points deductions, and even possible relegation from the Premier League, have been rife if City are found guilty. Rival clubs have also been considering their options for potential legal claims.