(Image: PA)
Manchester City receive new timeline for 115 charges verdict as Man United watch on
by Bruna Reis · Manchester Evening NewsManchester City are braced for more months of uncertainty and delay over the 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules.
According to The Times, there is a 'good chance' that any appeal will not be resolved before the end of the season in May. The hearing itself is said to not be finished until the middle of December.
With a decision set to be delayed until next summer, it creates a potential headache to the Premier League if sanctions are imposed and it would also affect other clubs. In addition, the written reasons will have to be examined extensively and communicated directly before anything becomes public.
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That means there are months left of uncertainty over City, who strongly deny the allegations. What has been made certain however, is that the hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London has been paused while City and the Premier League prepare their closing arguments.
The investigation involving City has been ongoing for nearly five years and there is expected to be a huge bill of legal costs for both club and the Premier League. The top-flight racked up legal costs of £48.1million last year which was six times the amount it had budgeted for.
A large amount of that has been dealing with this case and City's legal challenge against Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. City are being represented by Lord Pannick while Adam Lewis KC is representing the Premier League, having fought against Everton over sustainability and profitability rules last year.
The Blues are currently involved in a lengthy arbitration hearing with the league after being accused of serious financial offences for almost a decade. If proven, the most serious punishments involve points deductions and even expulsion from the league.