Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that a decision on the club’s 115 alleged financial misconduct charges could come as early as February or March, possibly before the Premier League season ends.
On December 6, City concluded a three-month legal battle with Premier League authorities in London, firmly denying allegations of financial irregularities spanning 2009 to 2018, a stance they have consistently maintained throughout the investigation.
Despite facing 130 charges of varying severity, Guardiola’s team has remained focused on their matches, even as they confront the potential for serious sanctions. These could include title forfeitures, fines, transfer restrictions, points deductions, or in the worst-case scenario, relegation.
While an independent committee is tasked with reviewing each charge, no definitive timeline has been set for the verdict. However, Guardiola, in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Aston Villa clash, hinted at a possible resolution in February or March, remarking, “I don’t know… In February, March, [maybe] will be the sentence.” This timeline is notably earlier than initial expectations, which suggested a conclusion might not arrive until after the 2024/25 season.
Regardless of the outcome, it is widely expected that the losing party will file an appeal, potentially extending the legal proceedings further.
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