In February 2023 more than 100 charges were laid against the serial champions but we are still waiting for the verdict
Exactly three years ago, 10 paragraphs on the Premier League website set the cat among the pigeons. Under the nondescript heading “Premier League statement”, football’s richest and most popular domestic competition announced unprecedented disciplinary charges against Manchester City, champions of the two previous seasons (and the two to come). We are still waiting for the outcome.
The estimated 134 charges covered years of alleged wrongdoing but broke down into a couple of key chunks: accusations that City had failed to provide “accurate financial information” to the league and to properly “cooperate … and assist” with the subsequent investigation. Precious little new information has followed.
The league has steadfastly refused to comment. City have gone no further than a statement that “welcomed” the appointment of an independent panel to consider the charges, and nodded towards “the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of [City’s] position”. The public and the football industry find themselves in the dark.
The reasons for silence are obvious: until a verdict is known, neither party wants to be seen to be prejudicing an outcome or putting pressure on the three-person disciplinary panel led by Murray Rosen KC. But the absence of an update, or even guidance on how long the process may take, has meant a flood of speculation filling the void.
