Leading sports lawyer hints at time frame for Manchester City case following Premier League charges

A leading sports lawyer has suggested that Manchester City’s showdown case with the Premier League could take a matter of years to be resolved.

On Monday, Manchester City were hit with over 100 charges for alleged financial breaches by the Premier League following a four-year investigation.

The 115 breaches are alleged to have taken place over the course of nine years and relate to financial information, profitability and sustainability, player and manager remuneration, failure to cooperate and UEFA regulations.

Manchester City responded to the charges by stating that they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” and that they “look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

In response, the Premier League champions rehired prestigious lawyer Lord Pannick KC, who previously represented Manchester City in 2020 when the Blues successfully overturned a two-year UEFA ban for alleged financial fair play breaches.

Lord Pannick KC of Blackstone Chambers is set to defend Manchester City alongside Paul Harris KC of Monckton Chambers.

Fellow Blackstone Chambers barrister and Sports Law Silk of the Year Nick De Marco KC has hinted at a possible time frame, with the case to be heard by an independent commission appointed by Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel Murray Rosen KC.

Nick De Marco KC has suggested that the case could take four years, as he praised the appointment of his colleagues by both the Blues but also the Premier League.

“Delighted to see so many of my brilliant colleagues on both sides of this huge case, though wondering who will appear as my opponent in all the other big sports cases for the next 4 years [laughing emoji],” he tweeted.

De Marco KC reiterated that it was “only my guess” but drew reference to his previous work regarding Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday.

“It’s only my guess. I remember doing Derby & SWFC EFL FFP cases, each two charges relating to a couple of years. Each took about 1.5 years from start to finish. The PL case is 115 charges over about 10 years…”

Manchester City have won six Premier League titles since the Abu Dhabi takeover under three different managers – Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and most recently Pep Guardiola.