Man City Appeal Reportedly Heard in December, Any Penalties in 2027
Any punishment for Manchester City over breaches of financial rules is now unlikely to hit this season's title race. The club's appeal is reportedly due for a multi-day hearing in mid-December, with penalties, if the appeal fails, handed down in 2027.
What the commission found
In September an independent commission ruled that City were guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them in 2023. The breaches, it found, ran from 2009 to 2018, and City then obstructed the league's inquiry until 2023.
According to the commission, "sham" sponsorship deals let City pass off more than £830m of owner Sheikh Mansour's own money as ordinary income, and nearly £17m went to staff and players without being declared. City rejected the findings and called them "unsafe".
The club lodged its appeal on 1 October, saying the commission's verdict contained clear material errors of law, principle and fact. At next month's hearing, City are expected to argue that the disputed sponsorship money came from the Abu Dhabi government as a sovereign body, not from a private company.
Hearing in December, verdict in the new year
The Financial Times suggests the hearing could run for several days. The outcome of the appeal, and whether the guilty finding stands, is expected in the new year. Only if the appeal fails would a ruling on penalties follow.
Even then, a sanction being issued is not the same as one being served. The report says it is unclear whether penalties would take effect in the current campaign or the next. The final legal conclusion might not arrive until the following year, or even 2029.
Penalties are wide open. The Premier League rulebook lets the independent commission impose whatever it considers appropriate, from points deductions to outright expulsion from the top flight. Expulsion can only be a recommendation, put to a vote of member clubs, and at least 15 of them would need to back it.
Where the race stands
Only 10 matches have been played, but City already seem likely contenders. They are third on 21 points. Liverpool are fourth, three points behind them. Arsenal, the defending champions, lead on 27, and Brighton are second on 22.
Liverpool had hoped any punishment would be served this season, which now seems unlikely. Liverpool have dropped points here and there, yet the title is still in their sights.
Source: Liverpool Echo