Manchester City has commented for the first time in months on the ongoing legal battle with the Premier League regarding the 115 charges the club faces. These charges accuse City of breaching financial regulations over an extended period. The club has consistently denied all charges and issued a two-paragraph reference to the case in their recent financial report. In the statement, City expressed confidence in their position, welcoming the review and emphasizing the “irrefutable evidence” supporting their stance.
The club is involved in several legal matters, including a separate challenge to the Premier League’s APT (Associated Party Transaction) rules, where City questioned the legality of certain regulations. Although they won key arguments, they were unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary support from 14 out of 20 Premier League clubs for amendments to be approved.
With the closing arguments now completed in the case, a three-person panel will deliberate on the evidence and deliver a verdict in early 2025. If found guilty, Manchester City could face significant penalties, such as fines, points deductions, or even relegation. However, both the club and the Premier League will have the option to appeal the decision.
The charges themselves cover a range of financial issues, including failing to provide accurate financial information, not cooperating with Premier League investigations, and breaching profitability and sustainability regulations. The exact number of alleged breaches is disputed, with The Times reporting that the figure could be 130 instead of the 115 initially stated.
Despite the ongoing case, manager Pep Guardiola has remained supportive of the club, reaffirming his commitment and stating that he would not consider leaving due to the charges. He maintains that the club is innocent until proven guilty and has promised to provide further clarification once the verdict is delivered.