Man City 115 charges case may be extended after ‘surprise’ claim – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted he would be “surprised” if a verdict on Man City’s 115 charges came before the end of 2024.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed City will want to delay and drag out the hearing even further.
The Athletic claimed last week (17 October) that a verdict in Man City’s 115 charges fight is expected before the end of 2024 – not next spring.
The hearing started last month and has been held in secret in London with very few leaks emerging.
Accusations levelled at City include 54 counts of failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information and seven alleged breaches of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The English champions sit second in the Premier League this term under manager Pep Guardiola, who is in the final year of his contract at the club.
Man City verdict may not come in 2024, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The theory is that a verdict will be due at the end of the year.
“As far as I know, they’re in the hearing every day – I don’t know if there have been breaks for certain witnesses.
“There’s a big veil of secrecy over the whole thing.
“Getting a verdict in 2024 is certainly the ambition but I still think this will drag on further.
“This is a big, big case with a lot of expert witnesses, testimony and documents to examine.
“I’ll be surprised if they can finish it this year.
“I’m expecting it to drag and drag and I think that will be one of City’s tactics – to keep pushing and delaying as far as they can.”
In other news, Guardiola “used” England talks to land improved Man City deal.
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