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Manchester City is facing a staggering 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial regulations spanning from 2009 to 2018.
The Manchester club denies all allegations made against it. A verdict has been long anticipated, with late 2025 previously mooted as the time when supporters might finally learn of any potential penalties. The i Paper hinted that the decision could even be delivered this month, November, potentially overshadowing the upcoming vote on Financial Fair Play rules.
Liverpool fans are desperate to know the verdict, as it could impact the current Premier League season. Several possible sanctions have been floated, ranging from hefty fines to points deductions.
Nevertheless, City will have the right to appeal, which would be expected if the club is found guilty of any of the charges it faces.
This would consequently prolong the situation further and delay the enforcement of any potential sanctions, fines, or points deductions should they be imposed.
“It’s gone very quiet, and because it’s been going on for so long, it’s almost been forgotten about, but all hell could break loose when it lands,” a source told The i Paper.
Currently, Arsenal sits atop the Premier League table, four points ahead of Manchester City. Following Saturday's draw with Sunderland and Pep Guardiola's 3-0 triumph over Liverpool in his 1000th game as a manager, the gap was narrowed.
Liverpool finds itself eighth in the Premier League table, a worrying eight points behind the Gunners. City's prospects of claiming the title have improved markedly amongst the bookmakers following the weekend's results.
The Gunners maintain their position as strong favourites at present and are anticipated to have several players returning after the international break. Guardiola has already made his stance on the matter abundantly clear.
The Spanish manager penned a fresh deal with the club last year, tying him to the organization until at least 2027.
He said in November 2023: "At the moment, we are innocent until it is proven we are guilty. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it, and after the sentence has been done, we will come here and explain it.
"But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends on being here or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."
Mikel Arteta, by contrast, has consistently maintained a diplomatic approach regarding the situation. The Arsenal manager has kept his distance from the controversy, despite his previous employment at Manchester City before taking charge at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019.
"That's something for the authorities to manage, it's not for us," Arteta said in May 2024. "If they are playing, it means they can play and they are entitled to play, and that's it".
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