Man City left waiting as 115 charges case stays unresolved

March 18, 2026 Oliver Obel

More than three years after the Premier League charged Manchester City over alleged financial rule breaches, there is still no indication of when a final decision will be delivered.

The case, which relates to alleged violations between 2009 and 2018, has been under review by an independent panel following a lengthy and largely private hearing process. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

A report by The Athletic says there has been no recent communication from the panel regarding the timing of a verdict. According to the outlet, individuals on both sides of the case speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public comment say they have not received any update on when a decision might be expected.

Uncertainty over outcome

Beyond the timing, questions also remain about what the panel’s ruling will actually cover.

The Athletic reports that it is not yet clear whether the commission will simply determine whether the club breached the rules, or if it will also outline any potential sanctions at the same time. Another unresolved issue is whether any punishment if imposed would be delayed pending an appeal, a process that could extend the case by another year or more.

If City were found guilty, possible consequences discussed in media coverage have ranged from a significant points deduction to the stripping of titles or, in extreme scenarios, expulsion from the Premier League. However, no outcome has been confirmed, and the process remains confidential.

Limited public comment

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters addressed the case during an appearance at the Business of Football summit in February but declined to provide further detail.

“I really can’t comment, and there are very good reasons for that,” he said.

“As you know, our rules are very clear. I can’t talk about the process in any aspect between the period when allegations and charges are announced until a decision is handed down.”

With proceedings taking place behind closed doors and strict limits on what can be disclosed publicly, updates have been scarce. For now, the timeline for one of the most significant legal cases in Premier League history remains uncertain.

Sources: The Athletic, Business of Football summit (Richard Masters remarks)