Man City ‘to buy players this summer even if guilty of 115 charges’
Man City are set to learn the outcome of their disciplinary hearing for 115 charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules within the coming months.
Pep Guardiola has remained relaxed about the situation, while City have maintained their stance that they have not committed any wrongdoing.
After a hearing into the case started in September last year and ended in December, the official verdict is set to be announced soon.
Former City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that he believes March would be the earliest the panel could publish its verdict.
That comes after Guardiola explained they expect to hear the verdict in “one month”, and defended the club’s January spending amid suggestions Man City could receive a transfer ban.
After a £180million outlay in the mid-season window, many believe they have moved quickly to strengthen before the transfer embargo is enforced.
However, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that even if City are found guilty, they will still be able to spend big this summer.
Man City to appeal 115 charges verdict – ‘It could take years’
Football Insider revealed on 21 February that City look set to be found guilty of “quite a lot” of the 115 charges and will face a “minimum” one or two-window transfer ban.
However, any guilty verdict will also come with the option for the club to appeal against the decision, and they are expected to do so.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson insisted that City will drag out the appeals process in an attempt to stall and delay any punishment.
“Whatever the result is, there is going to be an appeal,” he told Football Insider.
“Unless they’re cleared of everything, there’s going to be an appeal and another hearing.
“They’re going to kick the can down the road and there’s going to be no definitive answer.
“The headline will break when the decision is made that they’ve had this and that charge, and everybody will think that’s the end of it.
“But it will be far from the end of it, because Manchester City will appeal the decision.
“Man City signed a lot of players in January, then you look to the end of the season and they’re still going to be able to make transfers.
“What the lawyers are doing is if they’re found initially guilty, hypothetically, they’re going to appeal every single one of them.
“That could take years.”
Pep Guardiola makes summer transfer plan at the Etihad
After Robinson explained that City are going to be ready to spend big again in the summer regardless of the outcome of their charges, the club are already working hard behind the scenes.
Guardiola is already identifying areas of his team which need improvement, despite spending big on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez in January.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 18 February that five positions have already been earmarked for potential replacements.
This comes amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and John Stones.
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