Exclusive: What will Man City’s appeal look like and is Khaldoon Al Mubarak “immune” from legal action? A leading Sports Lawyer speaks... | OneFootball

There are still so many unanswered questions about the Manchester City case, which could still drag on for some time and take many more twists and turns yet.

For now, though, where are we and what does the immediate future look like? Read on as I spoke to Yasin Patel, a leading lawyer specialising in Sports Law. Patel has represented players and officials in cases relating to match fixing and other scandals in cricket and the Olympics, and here’s what he had to say on the City situation…

We’ve heard a lot about the Man City verdict, but perhaps you can lay out what it means in simple terms and why it’s so significant?

“In February 2023, City were charged with more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules following a four-year investigation. The club was referred to an independent commission over allegations it breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

“The hearing began in September 2024 behind closed doors and concluded that December after around 12 weeks. The Premier League claimed City breached rules requiring the club to provide ‘accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’. City strongly denied all charges and have said their case is supported by a ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence’.

“The club won eight trophies in the period covered by the case, including three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one Community Shield and one FA Cup. The charges cover the managerial tenures of Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, and the first two years under Pep Guardiola.

“A separate case between City and the Premier League was also heard last year. In 2024, an independent arbitration panel found against aspects of the league’s Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs) after City launched an arbitration challenge. A tribunal held in February 2025 found the Premier League’s rules governing sponsorship deals from the period between 2021 and 2024 are ‘void and unenforceable’.