Premier League club bosses concerned over Manchester City-related finances | OneFootball

Manchester City’s long-standing 115 charges case has sparked concerns among Premier League club officials regarding rising legal fees connected to the matter.

The ongoing legal battle between City and the Premier League continues to be one of the most expensive and complex disputes in English football history, announced in February 2023 after a four-year investigation accusing the club of 115 alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

Manchester City have repeatedly denied all wrongdoing, continuing to do so as recently as this month, insisting that they possess “irrefutable evidence” to clear their name once the independent process concludes.

In recent months, the mood around the case has shifted from anticipation to frustration among senior football figures, with former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy describing the situation as having “gone on for far too long”, calling for the matter to be brought to a conclusion “for the good of the game”.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters admitted his own “frustration is irrelevant”, emphasising that the process is now entirely in the hands of an independent commission – one with no fixed timeline for reaching a verdict.

Adding to the broader sense of unease, The Times recently reported that legal fees linked to City’s various disputes with the Premier League – including their separate action concerning Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules – may have already surpassed £200 million.

Now, according to the information of Football Insider, Premier League club officials are said to be concerned about rising legal fees as they push for a verdict to be delivered in Manchester City’s long-standing 115 charges case.

While the financial weight of the proceedings is seemingly a mounting concern, there also remains deep anxiety about the potential competitive and reputation consequences once the verdict arrives.

Many executives across the top-flight are reportedly “bracing themselves” for a decision, as The Independent recently claimed a ruling could come “this month”, though any outcome could trigger a fresh wave of appeals and legal wrangling.

The recent settlement between City and the Premier League over APT rules has added another layer of intrigue, easing tensions in one area while reigniting debates about the financial governance framework of English football.

Ultimately, as the independent commission’s work nears a potential conclusion, the Premier League faces a delicate balancing act between due process and transparency. Should legal costs continue to rise, or if proceedings stretch beyond 2025, there is a growing expectation that the league’s own governance model may come under scrutiny.