Man City 115 charges delay has us all guessing – it’s wrong and unfair | Football | Sport
Football is still waiting the outcome of Manchester City’s 115 charges. (Image: Getty Images)
Three years on and the Manchester City verdict feels as distant as ever. It was on February 6, 2023, that the Premier League brought the 115 charges (which has become the standard reference despite the figure likely being closer to 130) against City for alleged rule breaches.
Since then, we’ve witnessed a massive legal case, hearings, false dawns, protestations and outright anger and fury at the delay in reaching a verdict. In my view, it brings the entire Premier League into disrepute. It is embarrassing, a stain on the top flight of English football and leaves us all questioning what we can believe. City have quite understandably carried on as normal, with Pep Guardiola consistently publicly backing the club’s stance that they will be cleared.
And the rest of us are simply left guessing as to whether City will be found innocent or guilty, be relegated, have points deducted or receive a substantial fine.
It is so wrong to be taking this long. It is not fair on City let alone their rivals.
It is not fair on every fan of every club at every game.
Imagine if City pip Arsenal to the title this season and then get docked points to make Arsenal champions. No one wants to win the league like that.
Equally, what about those seasons when City beat Liverpool to the post?
The earliest charges relate to well over a decade over and are pre-Pep. How can that be fair on anyone, including Pep?
The charges now seem so remote that they risk becoming outdated.
Frankly, if they were that severe, why is it taking so long to reach a verdict?
It almost gives the impression they can’t be that serious.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire proposed that the Premier League might rue levying so many charges as it will inevitably result in a lengthy and protracted process when they could have concentrated on the most potent allegations.
It’s important to recall that the Premier League always strives to adhere to a set timeline and aims to resolve cases within the season.
That being said, even Leicester’s relatively straightforward PSR violation dragged on, and the independent commission’s comprehensive written reasons extended to 100 pages when released this week. That’s just one case.
We’re discussing over 100 with City.
And the crux of the matter is that this case is now beyond the Premier League’s control. By bringing the charges, they immediately referred it to an independent commission, which also removes it from City’s control.
Lawyers, barristers, and exhaustive hearings and evidence are involved.
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Speculation has been rife about Pep Guardiola’s future. (Image: Getty Images)
There have been absurd theories about the announcement being made during various international breaks. Last March.
Then it was postponed until the summer. Then it was supposedly in October.
A handful of journalists were prepared for it to be concluded just before Christmas.
But if you pause for a moment and think about how ridiculous that notion is… they would schedule it during an international break simply to suit the media cycle?
Provide us with something to fill column inches?
It would afford City time to process matters but it seems we have moved past that stage. They have continued business as usual and do their latest recruits fret about the shadow of the allegations?
It has simply become routine and normalised.
We witnessed a pair of rapid exits. Daniel Levy from Tottenham.
Tim Lewis from Arsenal. Both figures who were typically the most vocal during Premier League shareholder gatherings when City matters arose.
Did their exits pave the way for City to be exonerated?
The ambiguity this has created leaves observers grasping for hints and minor revelations. There has been speculation within football circles that City believe a financial penalty is the worst-case scenario.
But let’s simply conclude this matter.
It is difficult to fathom it has been three years. In my view, Guardiola has been the finest manager in the Premier League era.
He merits the highest regard. City’s football is magnificent.
And yet with every piece of silverware comes a qualification even in our coverage… they are still awaiting the judgement.
It is unjust and inequitable on City – and the remainder of the Premier League. They ought never to have embarked upon this procedure if it was destined to require this duration.
It is excessively harmful for all parties.
