Lawyers from Premier League clubs are poised to take action if Manchester City are convicted of the alleged 115-plus financial violations, it has been claimed.
City have been charged with breaking financial fair play rules over a nine-year period by the Premier League, which began in 2009 and went on until 2018. They've also been accused of failing to cooperate with the investigation into their finances, with the detailed rule breaches adding up to 115 in total.
City have fought to clear their name and strenuously deny any wrongdoing. The case wrapped up in December, and yet, despite it now being April, there's still a lack of clarity about when a verdict will be reached. Stefan Borson, who previously advised the reigning Premier League champions, speculated on Tuesday, April 1, that a definitive judgement could be delayed until as late as 2026.
It's been more than two years since City were charged, with Pep Guardiola revealing earlier this season he was anticipating some news by March, indicating that the proceedings have outlasted even his expectations. Should Man City be found guilty, the fallout might entail severe repercussions, including the prospect of major fines, deductions of points, or stripping of titles won during the time scrutinised. Not to mention, rival clubs in the Premier League might seek compensation as well.
"I think there will be an awful lot of clubs taking legal counsel, with a view to, 'do we think we have a good case from a legal probability point of view?'" commented Kieran Maguire, a football finance specialist, during an interview with The Overlap.
"We do have precedent so therefore going forwards I suspect there will be an awful lot of out of court settlements because it is a lot cheaper than doing it and try and get some mediation and negotiation, but the lawyers will be rubbing their hands together if Manchester City lose."
Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will be following the case very closely.