Man City ‘playing war games’ as 115 charges twist emerges
Man City had expected to learn their 115 charges fate before the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
An independent hearing into the case started in September last year and ended in December, with the panel now considering its verdict.
In a new twist, The Telegraph reported last week (10 April) that the verdict is now unlikely to be delivered before the summer.
Premier League champions Man City are accused of breaching top-flight financial rules over a nine-year period and concealing payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted City and the Premier League will be playing “war games” to plot out every possible scenario.
‘Man City stakes are increasingly high as 115 charges anticipation grows’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the delay isn’t a surprise given the “complexity of this case and what is at stake”.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola told the media in February that he believed a verdict would be passed down before the end of March.
Wyness insisted the importance of this case may only just be catching up to some involved in proceedings.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We had thought Easter time would be about right for the verdict.
“That would’ve allowed time to look at the huge amount of statements, witness statements, evidence, etc.
“It now looks like it’s going to be more towards summer now, which really doesn’t surprise me given the complexity of this case and what is at stake.
“I think it’s only just catching up to some people, the importance of this case.
“Things are being double-checked, triple-checked, quadruple-checked – they’ll be taking stock.
“Both sides will be playing war games in terms of looking at what-ifs, and there’ll be a lot of work in trying to plan the next few steps.
“The stakes are becoming increasingly high.”
Man City could swoop for Tottenham star Udogie
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Monday (14 April) that Tottenham star Destiny Udogie could be tempted by a move to Man City if their “surprise” interest materialises.
Sources say City will be in the market for a left-back “without doubt” in the upcoming summer transfer window.
| Appearances (Starts) | 30 (27) |
| Minutes Played | 2282 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
Guardiola’s side have recently lined up with youngster Nico O’Reilly at left-back and they will be in the market for a new option in the off-season.
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