Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the verdict on Manchester City’s financial-rules case is taking longer than expected.
The delay prolongs one of the most significant legal battles in English football history, as the ruling could determine the future standing and legality of the club's recent successes.
Charges against the club were first filed in February 2023 [1]. The case involves a massive volume of alleged breaches, with Sky Sports reporting more than 100 [1], while The Mirror cited 115 charges [2].
An independent commission appointed by the league handled the adjudication process. This included a hearing that lasted 12 weeks [1], which concluded in December 2024 [1]. Despite the conclusion of those proceedings, the final decision from the commission has not yet been released.
"The verdict has taken longer than expected," Masters said [1].
The complexity of the review is attributed to the scale of the allegations. The commission must examine a vast array of financial records, and evidence, to determine if the club violated the league's governing rules over several years.
Because the process is handled by an independent body, the Premier League executive does not control the timing of the announcement. Masters said in separate briefings that the case is taking longer than expected [3].
“"The verdict has taken longer than expected."”
The extended timeline suggests the independent commission is conducting an exhaustive review of the evidence to ensure the verdict can withstand potential appeals. Given the number of charges, any ruling—whether it results in points deductions, fines, or expulsion—will likely set a precedent for how the Premier League enforces its Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) across all member clubs.
