Fresh verdict date on Manchester City’s 115 charges emerges among club officials | OneFootball

Manchester City may find out their fate concerning the widely-reported 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules this Autumn, according to reports.

While much of the saga has been shrouded in confidentiality, fresh information now points towards a potential timeline that is beginning to crystallise behind the scenes.

The protracted nature of the case – spanning alleged breaches over nearly a decade – has left fans, pundits, and rival clubs anticipating a decision that could significantly alter the Premier League’s landscape.

The charges, which were formally announced in February 2023, centre on a range of alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, includING accusations of failing to provide accurate financial details regarding sponsorship revenues and operating costs, as well as player and manager remuneration – particularly under Roberto Mancini.

Manchester City were also cited for alleged non-cooperation since the Premier League’s investigation commenced in December 2018, while the commission – chaired by Murray Rosen KC – holds power to administer punishments ranging from fines and points deductions to, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.

Now, according to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, ‘insiders with knowledge of certain aspects of the investigation’ are predicting a September-October outcome concerning City’s 115 charges, with some believing it will come in one of the international breaks.

Some club leaders have even reportedly speculated that an initial verdict might arrive in the campaign’s second international break, from 4-18 October, given previous patterns regarding similar cases.

Additionally, it is claimed that there is also a split between clubs regarding what should happen if the most severe charges are proven and Manchester City are punished, with an outright expulsion seen as unlikely due to a special shareholder vote and the requirement for a majority of 15 clubs.

Other clubs are said to be more in favour of a potential punishment ‘allowing everyone to get on with it’, feeling that the controversy is now causing undue damage to the Premier League. One senior club executive has said there is unlikely to be any tangible change to anything even a year after the initial outcome, due to various stages of the process and possible appeals.

From the side of Manchester City, as has been the case ever since the charges first emerged in February 2023, they themselves are said to be “confident” that they will be entirely cleared of any wrongdoing.

Should a verdict arrive in the autumn as speculated, it could immediately trigger a sequence of further legal manoeuvres. Manchester City are expected to challenge any adverse findings, which may lead to appeals that stretch well into 2026.

Club executives maintain the belief that the “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” in their favour will ultimately prevail, mirroring their successful 2020 appeal against UEFA’s Financial Fair Play ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It also remains to be seen whether the independent commission opts to stagger its conclusions – delivering an initial ruling on breach or non-breach – followed by a separate stage to determine sanctions, if required.

Such a route could drag out the process but offer greater transparency over the Premier League’s approach.

As the 2025/26 season gets underway in mid-August, Manchester City’s focus remains on footballing matters. But with a potential decision now seemingly looming within weeks, the implications of this long-standing saga could soon take centre stage once more.