Man City
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
James Murray
Thu 14 August 2025 8:00, UK
Manchester City are not outspending the Premier League in their ongoing 115 charges case.
Man City were dealt the charges by the Premier League in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
Pep Guardiola’s side are alleged to have concealed payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue.
An independent commission hearing started in September last year and ended in December, with the panel still considering its verdict.
There has so far been little information provided about when the decision could be revealed, leading to concerns among Premier League clubs about how long the case could drag on.
The Times reported on 5 August senior figures in football have been told the cost to both sides of the Premier League’s case against Man City may have topped £200million over the past five years.
Pep Guardiola Man City
Pep Guardiola is waiting to hear Man City’s 115 charges verdict (Credit: Imago)
Premier League has financial firepower in Man City’s 115 charges case
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser toMan City.
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Borson previously told Football Insider Man City are spending around £25million in their 115 charges case, with the Premier League’s legal bill expected to be in a similar ballpark.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “The myth that’s been suggested about the City case is City will be able to completely outspend the Premier League.
“It’s just not true. I mean, the Premier League has the access to the entire budget of the Premier League.
“The way it works is that the Premier League’s expenses come off before distribution to the clubs, so the Premier League has got no shortage of firepower and they’re using the best lawyers.
“They have used Linklaters and firms of that nature, using the best and they’re paying very handsomely for it.
“I think from memory some of the partners that were on the Nottingham Forest case were over £1,000 an hour, and they’ve got multiple high-quality barristers.
“On the City case, there’s something like six or seven barristers on each side, two or three KCs, so there’s no inequality of arms.
“That’s never been true.”
Everton
Richard Masters has remained tight-lipped over Man City’s 115 charges case (Credit: Imago)
Man City make Ilkay Gundogan transfer decision
In terms of transfer activity, Football Insider revealed on 9 August Man City plan to keep Ilkay Gundogan despite speculation surrounding a possible move to Galatasaray.
Guardiola is reluctant to let the veteran midfielder go before the window closes, with his experience providing a valuable asset to a new-look squad at the Etihad Stadium.
Galatasaray were believed to be plotting a move to sign Gundogan as part of their spending spree this summer.
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