The Man City hearing involving 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules commenced on Monday.
These charges were brought after a four-year investigation, with City being referred to an independent commission in February 2023. The period under scrutiny covers 2009 to 2018, during which City is accused of violating financial regulations.
Manchester City firmly deny all allegations. They claim their defense is built on a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” that they believe will clear their name.
The Premier League alleges City failed to provide “accurate financial information” that reflects the club’s true financial status. This includes details on revenue streams, such as sponsorship deals and operational costs.
Furthermore, the Premier League has accused the club of not fully cooperating with their investigation. City, however, refutes these accusations, labeling the initial reports from German outlet Der Spiegel as based on “illegal hacking and out-of-context publication of City emails.”
Since their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, City have secured eight Premier League titles, multiple domestic trophies, and a Champions League victory.
The private Man City hearing, expected to last around 10 weeks, is being held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
‘Shrouded in secrecy’: Barristers arrive as case starts
According to BBC sports correspondent Laura Scott, the Man City hearing began under a veil of secrecy, with little information available about the proceedings. Barristers were seen arriving discreetly, avoiding the press, at the International Dispute Resolution Centre.
Lord Pannick, a barrister from Blackstone Chambers, was among the first to arrive. Pannick has represented high-profile figures, including the Queen and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Last year, City fans honored him with a banner reading “Pannick on the streets of London.” He now leads Manchester City’s defense team, alongside other renowned barristers like Philip Marshall KC and James Mather.
There was no visible sign of the Premier League’s legal representatives, including Adam Lewis KC, suggesting they might have used another entrance.
The charges explained: What are the accusations?
The Man City hearing covers a range of alleged violations, including:
- 54 charges related to failing to provide accurate financial information between 2009 and 2018.
- 14 charges concerning inaccurate player and manager payment details from 2009 to 2018.
- 5 charges of breaching Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations from 2013 to 2018.
- 7 charges concerning the breach of Premier League’s PSR rules from 2015 to 2018.
- 35 charges of failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigations between December 2018 and February 2023.
Despite the official figure being 115 charges, The Times has suggested the real number could be closer to 130 due to a confusion over the Premier League’s initial statements.
How long will the Man City hearing last?
According to media reports, the Man City hearing is expected to stretch over 10 weeks, with a conclusion likely around late November. City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed relief that the hearing had finally started, saying, “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon. I am looking forward to the decision.”
Guardiola also emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, so we’ll see.”
When can we expect a verdict from the Man City hearing?
There will not be an immediate ruling once the Man City hearing concludes. While the exact timeline for a verdict remains uncertain, early reports suggest that a decision could come in early 2025.
Appeal possibilities after the Man City hearing
This case cannot be escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). However, either party may appeal, leading to a new independent panel hearing the case from scratch.
Legal costs expected to mount
Given that the case has been ongoing for six years, the legal costs for both sides are already predicted to reach tens of millions of pounds. If City prevails, they are likely to seek reimbursement for these costs.
In a similar case, the Premier League demanded Everton cover the full £4.9 million legal fees for their PSR deduction case last season. Everton’s lawyer described those fees as “eye-watering.” However, an appeal board reduced the amount Everton had to pay to £1.7 million, with the remaining £3.2 million covered by the Premier League.
If the Premier League is required to pay legal costs following the Man City hearing, the burden will be shared across the 20 Premier League clubs.
Who’s leading the legal battle for Manchester City?
City’s legal defense team is spearheaded by Lord Pannick KC, known for his high-profile clients and commanding fees—reportedly £5,000 per hour. Pannick previously helped City overturn a two-year European ban in 2020.
Although the identities of the independent panel members presiding over the Man City hearing remain unknown, their involvement will become clear once a written judgment is delivered.
Manchester City fans, clearly confident in their legal team, celebrated Pannick in February 2023 with a banner referencing lyrics from The Smiths.
