Manchester City charges: Premier League chief confirms case to be resolved ‘in near future’

Manchester City’s legal case fighting against 115 charges of financial irregularities will be resolved in the ‘near future’, according to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

City were charged in February 2023 with more than a hundred financial irregularities, which allegedly occurred between 2009 and 2018 under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour.

Everton and Nottingham Forest have already received points deductions this season, but given the scale of City’s case, it is yet to be resolved and there are no known timescales for it either, with City vowing to fight the case with a team of specialized lawyers.

Masters reiterated that he revealed months ago in the House of Commons that there is a date for the case, but that it is confidential. However, the Premier League supremo said he hoped for a resolution in the near future.

Speaking at a press conference for the European Leagues group on Friday, Masters said the hearing would be set to take place in the “near future”.

“We can’t comment on the case, the date is set,’ Masters said. “The case will resolve itself at some point in the near future.”

What punishment are Man City facing?

Despite the accusations, City are on course for a fourth successive Premier League title, something no team in history has achieved.

Pep Guardiola’s side are a point behind Arsenal after their 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday, and still have a game in hand and an arguably easier schedule than the Gunners in the final five games of the season.

The charges against the club include claims over financial reporting and a lack of co-operation with the Premier League investigation six years ago. City deny any wrongdoing, but if found guilty, they could face a severe fine, points deduction, relegation from the Premier League and potentially having their titles won during the period stripped.