Sky Sports bosses are expecting a verdict on Manchester City’s 115 charges within a month or so, urging their pundits to be careful with their reactions to the eventual decision.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Phil Foden of Manchester City looks dejected as Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal (obscured) celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Mike Keegan writes for the Daily Mail that Sky Sports have urged their pundits to stick to the facts when commenting on the verdict in the Premier League’s legal battle with Manchester City, warning against jumping to conclusions on air or on social media.
Sky have also reportedly warned that both sides may claim victory regardless of the outcome, and that the verdict and any punishment could be subject to appeal.
Sky Sports reportedly expect a verdict “within the next month or so”. Keegan adds that hefty fines and points deductions are possible if City are found guilty of the more serious allegations, and rival clubs could also take legal action.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds the fans after the team's defeat in the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City FC at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The hearing on the financial charges started on September 16th, finishing 12 weeks later on December 6th. But it was never expected that a verdict would be reached immediately, with March touted as the earliest to expect a decision.
That hasn’t happened yet, but Sky Sports evidently predict it will soon.
For anyone unaware of the details, the BBC did a roundup of all the charges against Manchester City last year:
54 charges of failure to provide accurate financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18
14 charges of failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
5 charges of failure to comply with Uefa’s rules including Financial Fair Play (FFP) from 2013-14 to 2017-18.
7 charges of breaching Premier League’s PSR rules from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
35 charges of failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to Feb 2023.
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Should Manchester City be found guilty of some or all of the more serious charges, you’d expect Arsenal to be one of the clubs to take legal action, having often competed with City for trophies and league position over the relevant period.
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