Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has joked that he was ready for the independent panel to delay their verdict on 115 Premier League financial charges facing his club.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and the remainder of the Premier League, have been waiting patiently to discover City's fate after a long-winded legal process. Back in February 2023, City were charged with 115 alleged breaches of the division's financial regulations - dating between 2009 and 2018.
City immediately denied any wrongdoing and they have insisted throughout the process that they hold 'irrefutable evidence' which would clear their name. Incredibly, the hearing on these unprecedented charges was not held until September 2024, while a decision remains outstanding.
The independent panel heard evidence over two months before retiring in December to determine their verdict. On February 7, Guardiola explained that he expected to hear the result in a month's time.
However, that timeline has now firmly passed and we're still awaiting news on the charges verdict. Ahead of this Sunday's clash between AFC Bournemouth and City, in the FA Cup, Guardiola was asked by reporters whether he was frustrated by the delay on a verdict from the independent panel.
The Catalan responded: "No. No. We are more than one year with that.
"Nothing changes in one more week, two more weeks.
"Three more weeks, four more weeks," Guardiola chuckled afterwards. Owing to the unprecedented nature of the charges against City, should they be found guilty they could face serious repercussions. Punishments ranging from immediate expulsion from the Premier League and points deductions to eye-watering fines have all been touted.
However, it must be stressed that City deny all allegations put forward to them - as the wait goes on.