Man City 115 Charges Exclusive: Big update today as new photo emerges online
Manchester City’s 115 charges hearing is expected to finish by next Tuesday after the closing arguments started this week, sources have told Football Insider.
Man City were dealt the charges by the Premier League in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
The English champions are alleged to have concealed payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue.
An independent commission hearing into the 115 charges started on 16 September and paused towards the end of November to provide both parties’ legal teams time to prepare their closing arguments.
The Lawyer’s Christian Smith reported on 4 December the closing arguments have now started after posting a photo of the Premier League’s barristers, Andrew Hunter KC and Adam Lewis KC, returning to the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
Sources have told Football Insider both sides will likely be granted two to three days to present their closing arguments, with the hearing expected to draw to a close by the end of next Tuesday (10 December).
The panel will then review the evidence before delivering its verdict at some point next year.
Man City facing long wait for 115 charges conclusion
Football Insider revealed on 28 November the decision is unlikely to be published until late April or early May due to the complexity of the case.
The Premier League season is set to finish on 25 May, with Pep Guardiola’s side heading to the capital to face Fulham on the final day.
Man City’s lawyers are expected to appeal against any potential punishment after the club have been adamant they haven’t done anything wrong since the charges were handed out more than a year and a half ago.
Football Insider revealed on 17 August the case is unlikely to reach a full conclusion until late 2025 if any appeals are launched against the verdict.
The ongoing legal battle hasn’t prevented Guardiola from recently signing a new two-year contract at the Etihad after his deal was due to expire at the end of this season.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider the Catalan’s new deal shows Man City are confident about the outcome of their 115 charges case.
Guardiola has, however, been faced with his toughest spell in management over the past few weeks after his side have won just one of their past eight games in all competitions.
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