Key points
Manchester City’s long-awaited legal case being brought by the Premier League is set to begin.
An independent hearing will begin on Monday September 16, with the Premier League accusing Manchester City of breaking financial rules.
City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023 and after a long wait, the club can attempt to try and clear their name.
City’s legal team is headed up by Lord David Pannick of Blackstone Chambers, the world-renowned barrister and specialist in public law and human rights.
Follow the latest and important updates on the case as we get them at Manchester City News.
Does hearing impact City’s transfer plans?
With uncertainty surrounding City’s future amid the hearing, some fans may be wondering if the club is making contingency plans for the transfer market if the worst happens.
However, GRV Media’s transfer expert, Graeme Bailey, does not think they’re concerned at all. He told MCN: “I don’t think it’s a concern, massively.
“Nobody is better at planning than City, nobody’s better at transfers than City.
“One of the concerns is the buy-out for Haaland but that’s still quite a lot of money and anyone who paid that would be stretching themselves, especially if it was Barcelona for instance.
“I don’t think that is playing a massive part in their thinking, because even if they got convicted there would be appeals and stuff so they’d probably have another window thereafter anyway to prepare for it like Chelsea did previous.
“So I don’t think it’s come into their thinking much and as a club they are very confident of beating the charges anyway.”
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Guardiola asked if he needs to defend City more
Guardiola said when asked if he feels he needs to defend City more amid the hearing in his press conference on October 4: “I’m part of this club, deep inside of my bones and the best way to defend the club is to win games and doing my job as best as possible.
“This is why I’m here but at the same time I’m the manager, the person who talks more to the media, to send messages to fans.
“Of course, I’m going to defend my club because I trust, since the owner and especially the chairman for the relationship and CEOs and the all the people working here, for many, many years. I know them quite well, much more than any of you.
“Everyone here has their own responsibility. I try to hold my players in the hands and win the games. The rest is the situations over the last 8/9 years it is what it is.
“I’m part of this club, I’m not just a manager, and always will be that way, because it cannot be different from the way they have treated me since day one, it’s impossible. When you give something, and they give me a lot, the rest is the consequences. It’s simple.”
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What are APT rules and how do they impact Man City?
Adam Williams, Head of Football Finance and Governance Content for GRV Media, has told MCN what APT rules actually are.
He said: “APT rules were introduced after and as a direct response to the Newcastle United takeover.
“Basically, the rules are aimed at preventing clubs from signing artificially inflated sponsorship agreements with companies linked to their owners in order to get around PSR.
“As part of the APT rules, commercial deals signed by City and the rest of the Premier League are scrutinised for fair market value.
“The Premier League outsource the fair market value assessments to a data gathering firm, but City argue that the rules are unfairly enforced and are stifling competition.
“If City have secured victory in this case, it’s a pretty seismic moment.
“We won’t know exactly how big it is until we see the ruling, and it is worth noting that these arbitration proceedings rarely end in a definitive ‘win’ for either side.
“But if it has been ruled that the APT rules are anti-competitive to some degree, the Premier League is going to have to go back to its member clubs and figure something out.
“Then you’re starting to run into issues about the Premier League’s constitution itself.
“If this stuff can be struck down in arbitration, how can the Premier League govern itself?
“I really think this could be an existential issue for the Premier League.
“It will also add to the calls to strengthen the powers available to an independent regulator for English football, which is expected to be introduced next year.
“But for now, City will be elated, as will the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa, who have their own issues with the APT rules.
“Although, it should very much be stressed that without seeing updated rules or an official ruling, this is hearsay at present.
“From what I can see, it looks as though journalists have deduced that City have succeeded because of changes to agenda at a meeting, but we haven’t actually got confirmation of that yet.”
[Link]Premier League clubs ‘fear’ legal bills into the millions
Some Premier League clubs are becoming worried that the bills for the league’s multiple high-profile legal cases, including Manchester City’s, could go into the millions.
The Telegraph reports that clubs fear the bills will reduce the clubs’ share of the ‘central fund’ from broadcast and commercial deals.
In addition to City, there have been cases pursued against Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Everton.
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Rui Pinto’s lawyer comments on City case
William Bourdon, the lawyer of Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto whose revelations contributed towards charges being brought against City has said the case is “a moral reward [for] all the risks he took and the damage he has had to ensure.”
“I know that he expects that at the end, the decision in the UK could be helpful for him in his defence.
“It could also help other whistleblowers to break the silence.”
[Link]Agents making ‘exit plans’ for City players
The Daily Mail reports that the agents of some City players are making ‘exit plans’ in the event that City are found guilty of their charges and booted from the Premier League.
It’s claimed that agents want to hear what City will do should they be expelled from the top flight, which could be a recommended punishment from the commission if they find the club to have breached financial rules.
Some agents are said to be assessing their options, with the report coming after speculation earlier this week that Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Rodri’s situation should the Blues be found guilty.
[Link]City could be ‘expelled’ from all competitions
City could be ‘expelled’ from more competitions than just the Premier League if they are found guilty.
That’s according to the Telegraph, who report City will be at risk of being ‘thrown out’ of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup if they have breached financial rules and that they may be unable to continue playing in the Champions League or Club World Cup, either.
The competitions’ rules are cited as to why they may be thrown out of other competitions as well as other potential punishments that could follow.
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It’s match day
The talk this week has been all about the beginning of City’s hearing. While we’ll still bring any further updates your way, attention does turn to tonight’s match.
City get their Champions League campaign underway in the new-look format at home to Inter in a rematch of the 2023 final.
Rodri on his future amid speculation
Real Madrid are hoping a guilty verdict for City could see them have a chance of signing Rodri.
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La Liga president Javier Tebas demands Man City to be punished
Speaking to GiveMeSport at the Thinking Football Summit, Tebas said: “I hope it’s just a matter of evidence, and that the Premier League know how to prove it well, because the facts are clear.
“I have spoken with many Premier League clubs and most understand City should be sanctioned.”
READ MORE: La Liga president Javier Tebas shares his honest feelings about Man City’s 115 charges
[Link]Man City’s lawyer pictured on hearing day
Lord Pannick KC of Blackstone Chambers, the lawyer in charge of proving Manchester City’s innocence against their alleged 115 financial breaches was pictured heading to the hearing on Monday alongside Blackstone senior clerk Gary Oliver — via The Lawyer magazine.
Where Man City’s hearing is taking place
The Daily Mail has revealed that Manchester City’s hearing relating to their alleged 115 financial breaches is taking place at the International Dispute Regulation Centre in London.
[Link]Man City predicted to be punished in one way
As per The Independent, it has been widely predicted that Manchester City will face a “significant punishment” for failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s demands of providing financial documents during the investigation — a factor that was relevant in Everton and Nottingham Forest’s judgements last season.
[Link]When Man City’s 115 charges verdict could be reached
The Mirror has claimed: “The findings of the independent commission that will hear the 115 charges against Manchester City are unlikely to be published until early in 2025.”
[Link]Aymeric Laporte breaks silence on Man City’s 115 charges
Aymeric Laporte revealed what Manchester City’s CEO Ferran Soriano and sporting director director Txiki Begiristain told him about the 115 charges during his time at the club.
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Everything you need to know
Everything you need to know about the charges Manchester City face, the potential punishments, and Pep Guardiola’s comments on the saga, can be read below…
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