THE Premier League legal battle against Manchester City is heading into extra time – with the expectation it may now only finish shortly before Christmas.
And that could see NO verdict in the case being made before the end of the season.
An independent commission began hearing evidence in September into the “115 charges” – actually totalling 130 – that City were hit by in February 2023.
That hearing was scheduled to last “10-12 weeks” as both sides unleashed an army of highly paid KCs and other sports and commercial law experts.
But it has emerged that the case, being heard at the International Dispute Resolution Centre near St Paul’s in the City of London, has now been placed on a brief pause before the final arguments from both sides are made.
That part of the case is due to start next month and potentially last a fortnight.
And it means the chances of the final verdict not being made before the end of the season have increased.
Legal experts anticipate the commission will need a minimum of two to three months to weigh up the huge amount of evidence being offered by both sides.
Prem legal chiefs have to prove their claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information about the source of sponsorship deal cash plus revenues and salary payments to players and managerial staff.
City have always vehemently denied any misconduct, insisting they would be completely “vindicated” by the end of the process.
The Etihad club’s defence is being led by £10,000-per hour super-lawyer Lord Pannick KC but both sides have a huge retinue of legal aces.
It is expected that the final verdict will come with written reasons potentially amounting to 400 pages, with a second part to the hearing due to argue sentencing options IF the charges are upheld by the commission.
However, the likely extension of the timetable could cause a major issue if the charges are proved unless the commission confirms any punishment is suspended pending an appeal.
The PSR points deductions against both Everton and Nottingham Forest last season were immediately imposed before being reduced at the two clubs’ appeals.
But if City are found guilty in the spring, it is unlikely any appeal would be completed until after the June AGM of the Prem clubs when the “shares” of relegated teams are transferred to promoted clubs.
