Man City verdict nears as Premier League’s 115-charge case reaches final stage

October 30, 2025 Oliver Obel

The Premier League charged Manchester City in February 2023 with breaching more than 100 financial regulations between 2009 and 2018 — a period that began shortly after Sheikh Mansour’s takeover. During those years, City lifted three league titles and transformed into one of the sport’s most dominant teams.

City have always denied any wrongdoing. The charges include 54 counts of allegedly providing inaccurate financial information, along with claims of undisclosed payments to players and managers.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein first reported in March 2024 that a verdict might arrive before the end of the 2024/25 season. That deadline has long passed, leaving fans and rival clubs wondering how much longer this wait will drag on.

Verdict approaching

Now, a report from i Paper suggests the long-delayed decision could finally land during the upcoming international break in November. A source familiar with the arbitration process told the outlet that this month “could finally mark the case coming to a close,” more than two years after proceedings began.

“Everyone just wants a verdict now and some certainty over what comes next,” the source said, adding that major talks about financial fair play reforms could be “totally overshadowed” by the outcome.

Another insider went even further, warning that “all hell could break loose” once the verdict is announced. After so many months of silence, the story has almost faded from view — but its impact could be anything but quiet.

Inside the hearing

The hearing itself began in mid-September 2024 and wrapped up three months later in early December. According to i Paper, the case involved a staggering 250,000 documents and a 12-week schedule of evidence.

One legal expert told the outlet that panels often take about four weeks to deliberate for every week of hearings — which would put a verdict roughly a year later. That timeline fits with current expectations for a November decision, likely during the third international break of the 2025/26 season.

If so, English football may finally get answers to questions that have lingered for far too long.

What’s at stake

The stakes are enormous. Depending on the findings, City could face hefty fines, points deductions, or even the loss of past titles. Any punishment would set a powerful precedent — not just for City, but for how the Premier League enforces its financial regulations going forward.

For rival clubs, the verdict will be watched closely as a test of the league’s willingness to hold its most successful members accountable. It may also influence how UEFA and FIFA handle future financial disputes at the continental level.

Legal voices weigh In

Former Manchester City adviser and legal analyst Stefan Borson told talkSPORT that neither the Premier League nor the club had yet received the panel’s final decision.

“I think the simple reality is that neither party, as of the end of last week, has had the decision of the panel,” Borson said. “This is not a case where they’ve both had the decision and the sort of negotiations and settlement discussions going on in the background.”

He added that “there’s no real excuse for a further delay,” describing the prolonged silence from the panel as “extraordinary” given the time that has already passed.

Waiting for closure

Nearly a year after the hearing concluded, patience across the league is wearing thin. Clubs, players, and supporters alike are eager to know what comes next. Many within football expect a ruling before the end of 2025 at the latest, but until then, uncertainty continues to hang over the competition.

For City, the decision could define a legacy built over more than a decade of dominance. For the Premier League, it may be the moment that finally tests how serious the organization is about enforcing its own rules.

Whatever the outcome, English football will remember this case for years to come.

Sources: The Athletic, i Paper, talkSPORT, GIVEMESPORT