Man City 115 charges latest timeline after final verdict clue as Premier League rivals watch on

Stefan Borson has hinted at when Manchester City may learn the final verdict from their high-profile legal battle with the Premier League. The English top-flight charged the club with 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations back in February 2023 - and a final verdict is expected to be announced imminently.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Man City financial adviser was asked if the case could be wrapped up during this international break. Borson admitted that it would 'make sense' for either party to learn their fate this month, but he outlined that it's 'not certain' despite current reports.

"It would make a lot of sense, wouldn't it?" said the football finance expert.

"If it was in court, you'd say; 'Well that is completely irrelevant' because the judges don't care about whether it is convenient commercially for the parties.

"But, remember, this is a commercial arbitration of sorts. And therefore they may well be minded to fit within the two parties' preferences and you would think that the two parties' preferences would be this week, or next week during the international break.

"That would make some sense," Borson added. "That said, there are a few sort of indicators that it's not imminent. Our friend Lord Pannick was not busily reading a draft decision that had been presented to him last night.

"He was in the House of Lords looking very pleased with himself, and talking about expensive lawyers in a debate about the independent football regulator. He was a very active participant in that - so he was not in the chambers busily reading any decision provided to him in advance of a release.

"So we will see, as I say it would make sense for it to be in the next few days, but equally it is not certain. It could still be quite some time away."

In an interview with the Financial Times last month, Richard Masters was quizzed on Man City's case, which concluded behind closed doors late last year. Keeping his cards close to his chest, the Premier League chief executive said: "I literally cannot say a word about it."

Then, on any potential damage to the Premier League, Masters went on: "There's no happy alternative to enforcing the rules. The Premier League will survive the impact of all of this and come through it. The broadcast partners, fans around the world, our new sponsors have great confidence in the Premier League."

Speaking at the Business of Football Summit in London, towards the end of February, Masters remained tight-lipped when he was asked to 'address the elephant in the room'. The English top-flight boss said: "You won't be surprised to hear that I won't be talking about this, and I can't.

"I mean, the disciplinary panel has heard the case and they must be left alone now to consider their decision and given the time and space to be able to do that. That is as pretty much as far as I can go."