The highly anticipated verdict in Manchester City’s financial case may not arrive until at least October, according to senior football figures and club executives, raising fears of further disruption to another Premier League season.
Sources across multiple clubs have speculated that the initial ruling could fall during the second international break of the campaign, which runs from 4–18 October. While a verdict was initially expected last season after the hearing concluded in early December, the process has extended deep into the summer, creating a cloud of uncertainty over the league.
Manchester City continue to strongly maintain their innocence in the face of over 100 charges related to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, initially revealed following the 2018 Football Leaks investigation by Der Spiegel. The case was formally opened by the Premier League in February 2023.
Due to the highly sensitive nature of the process, specific details remain tightly guarded, with only those directly involved privy to the status of proceedings. However, insiders with knowledge of certain elements suggest a verdict in September or October is still a realistic timeline — potentially aligning with international windows, as seen in City’s previous Associated Party Transaction case, which concluded on 7 October 2024.
Yet, these projections have already proven fragile. The football world had previously anticipated decisions around Easter or the end of April, only for deadlines to pass without development.
The ongoing uncertainty has not only cast a long shadow over the league but is also reportedly paralysing governance at the highest level. Premier League insiders say clubs are hesitant to advance reforms or propose structural changes to the competition, concerned that the ruling could drastically reshape the football landscape.
The potential consequences of the case — ranging from points deductions to more severe sanctions — are widely seen as an “existential moment” for both the Premier League and European football.
Club opinions on what a punishment should look like remain divided. A minority of executives are in favour of expulsion from the league if the most serious allegations are proven. However, such a measure would require the support of at least 15 of the 20 clubs and is viewed as unlikely. Most clubs are said to prefer a more pragmatic resolution, fearing the damage being caused by the prolonged saga.
Some executives believe this very fatigue is being strategically used by Manchester City to soften eventual sanctions or create space for leniency, as the drawn-out process increasingly wears on stakeholders.
Another area of division is over whether any sanctions, if imposed, should take effect immediately or be delayed pending appeal. One senior executive told The Independent that any meaningful impact may be at least a year away, due to the multiple legal stages and likely appeals that would follow the initial decision.
While the Premier League remains tight-lipped, the looming verdict — now nearly two years since the formal charges were announced — threatens to dominate yet another season, with clubs, fans, and governing bodies still waiting for clarity on what could be a defining moment in modern football.