Manchester City supporters have been told to brace themselves for “bombshell moments” in what will be an otherwise “boring” 115-charge FFP case.
Some 19 months after learning in February 2023 that supposed monetary mismanagement at the Etihad Stadium would be thrust under the microscope, a hearing into the allegations made against the reigning Premier League champions has finally been opened.
City claim to have “irrefutable evidence” that will help to clear their name in a case that could reportedly involve as many as 130 charges – following initial errors in reporting.
Fans around the world are now eagerly awaiting updates in a saga that has sparked discussion regarding potential point penalties, hefty fines or even demotion out of the English top-flight.
The London-based location of the hearing has been leaked, but former Everton CEO Keith Wyness says little information regarding what goes on behind closed doors will be forthcoming.
He has told Football Insider: “The secret location was leaked, there were photographs of the lawyers going in and the lead lawyer, David Pannick, is reportedly on £5,000 per-hour. But we’re not going to be hearing much. They have been very clear about that. The chairman of the commission will only disclose things he wants to be disclosed, and there’ll be no further reporting. Of course in football, we’re all looking for leaks and, if there are no leaks, then people would be making up leaks, so we’re going to have to be very careful with the information coming out.”
He did go on to say, as City wait to learn their fate: “I do believe it should be transparent, because it would add to the penalty. If a club realised it would be dragged through the mud publicly, that might be another way to stop the behaviour we’re trying to fight against.
It will bore people for the next two months. The detail and minutiae will be incredible and very boring, but there will be bombshell moments. I’ve been around these proceedings a couple of times, and they are very boring – it’s not great TV.
However, I do believe that if we’re to enforce rules, then justice needs to be seen to be done. There’s some value in having some reporters there and giving us an update on proceedings each day. That would be helpful and important.”
The charges against City date back to 2009 – shortly after Sheikh Mansour completed his takeover of the club. An era of dominance has been enjoyed at the Etihad since then, with Pep Guardiola overseeing a historic run of four successive Premier League title triumphs.
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