The hearing into the financial charges between the Premier League and Manchester City has now ended.
It was held at the International Dispute Resolution Center near St Paul's in London and started on September 16, before ending twelve weeks later, last Friday, on December 6.
A decision is expected in the spring, most likely around March.
Both parties have the right to appeal, which would take several months.
In February 2023, the Premier League accused City of breaching more than 100 of its financial rules.
The alleged infringements cover the period between 2009 and 2018.
The city denies all charges, including:
City had a two-year UEFA ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July 2020 and in 2014 the club was fined £49 million for breaching UEFA's FFP rules, of which £32 million was suspended.
What could happen to City?
Under Premier League rules, any punishment could be a points deduction or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League – although this would be an extreme punishment.
When will a decision be made?
It is unlikely that a decision by the independent commission will be made public before the spring.
However, fixtures may shift as it is a legal process, independent of the influence of the Premier League or City.
After the hearing, the independent commission will go away and consider all the evidence before making a decision. That process is expected to take several months due to the magnitude of the charges and the amount of information that needs to be reviewed.
Therefore, it could be March – or later – before a committee decision is made public. Once they have reached their conclusion, it will be published.
Even then, if the committee decides that City are guilty of some or all of the charges against them, the club would likely appeal this decision, which would further delay the imposition of any sanctions or points deductions.
What did City say?
When the allegations were first announced in February 2023, City said they were “surprised” by the Premier League's allegations.
As well as expressing their surprise at the allegations, City also claimed to have provided “extensive involvement” and a “vast amount of detailed material” to the Premier League's investigation.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the disclosure of these alleged breaches of Premier League rules, especially given the extensive involvement and vast amount of detailed material provided to the EPL,” they said in a statement at the time.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent committee, which will impartially consider the extensive body of irrefutable evidence supporting its position.
“We look forward to this matter being put aside once and for all.”
What about Pep?
Pep Guardiola said at the time the charges were announced that he was “fully convinced” that City were innocent, and lashed out at the Premier League, saying they had “already been convicted”.
More recently, Guardiola has said he is happy the hearing will start soon, and that he hoped there would be a quick conclusion.
“I'm glad it starts soon and hopefully it ends soon for the sake of all of us,” he said at a press conference ahead of their match against Ipswich on August 24.
“Especially for the club, but also for all other Premier League clubs, just like for all the people who are not waiting for the punishment.
“I wish in my heart to go to the trial, the independent panel – and I say it again, the independent panel – and release as soon as possible what happened, and we will accept it, as we always have done.”
Asked if he was concerned that the situation could affect the performances of City players, Guardiola said: “No, we have been talking about that for three or four years.”
How did we get to this point?
In 2019, German outlet Der Spiegel published an investigation based on the work of a Portuguese computer hacker Rui Pinto, who hacked into the email accounts of several football clubs and agents.
This story started the UEFA investigation into City, which also led to this Premier League investigation.
If City are found guilty, how would an appeal work?
The independent committee will consist of three members, who will be selected by Murray Rosen KC, the chairman of the Premier League's judicial panel.
The three-person panel may consist of any of the fifteen members of the judicial panel, as well as non-members.
Once a ruling is made, the Premier League and City can appeal, although this cannot be taken before the CAS.
Instead, Rosen would appoint an appeals panel made up of new members. There are currently six members of the Premier League appeal panel.
An appeal would further delay the imposition of any sanctions or points deductions, but it is hoped by all parties that the case will ultimately be concluded in the next calendar year.
What could be the consequences for other Premier League clubs?
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire:
“If you talk to lawyers, they say it would be difficult for another club to say they have lost a title or, perhaps more importantly, access to the Champions League and all the rewards that brings.
“There was talk not too long ago about Burnley and Leeds possibly making a claim against Everton regarding their financial scenario, although that never materialized.
“Everyone will be watching this with great interest and once the independent commission makes a ruling, things will go from there.”
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