‘Specific’ renewal date revealed after City advised to avoid relegation

Manchester City and the rest of the Premier League will have to wait until the new year to find out “concrete” information about their financial fair play, according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness.

An independent commission hearing into the 115 charges brought by the Premier League against the Citizens began in September.

The Premier League launched an investigation into Manchester City back in 2018, and after a number of legal delays, charges were finally laid in February 2023 and the club was referred to an independent commission.

The allegations against the Citizens relate to requirements for accurate reporting of financial information, including the value of sponsorship deals, the provision of detailed salary information for managers and players, and the club’s responsibility as a member of the Premier League to comply with UEFA’s financial rules and the league’s own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

They are also accused of refusing to cooperate with the league’s investigation. Overall, there are allegations relating to every season from 2009/10 to 2022/23.

Manchester City issued a statement strongly denying the allegations on the day of the charges, saying they welcomed the opportunity for the independent commission to “impartially review the comprehensive body of compelling evidence that exists to support our position.”

The club added: “We therefore look forward to this matter being resolved once and for all.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer doubts Manchester City will be relegated if he is found guilty of the charges.

McAteer said: “There are currently 115 allegations being investigated. Why did it take so long to find Everton and Forest guilty so quickly? They gave punishments. I know there are many more charges and City are innocent until proven guilty, but there are 115 charges! They’ll be lucky to get away with either one.

“I have my own opinion about why it took so long. I think there are many other external factors to consider that go beyond a purely sporting decision. Lawyers do this and try to find a result that suits everyone.

“As a Liverpool fan, if City are found guilty it will of course be disappointing. Whether you want to use the word “cheated” or want to say they broke the rules by hiring really good accountants, it’s still wrong.

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“Cheating is a very, very strong word, but if they get caught doing it, then of course (I’ll be disappointed).

“The Liverpool players have put a lot of effort into the fight against City over four years. To find out that a team had broken the rules so much to gain such a significant advantage (Liverpool lost two potential titles by a single point) and dominated British football for the last five, six, seven years would then be truly, truly disappointing. We’re not at that stage yet and we’ll have to see what the outcome is.

“I think if City are found guilty, financially they can cope with any fine. They have bottomless pockets of money so this won’t hurt them, but from a points perspective they will have to lead by example.

“Even if the league takes 40 points away from them, they will probably still finish in the Europa League. A transfer embargo of two or three seasons could be another way to solve this problem.

“I don’t think City will be relegated if they are found guilty. I think the Premier League needs them. I think the government needs them. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

And former Everton chief executive Wyness insists Manchester City and other Premier League clubs will have to wait a while longer until they know something “concrete”.

Wyness told Football Insider: “Now we watch everything every week, every day. There were no leaks; of course, I didn’t hear anything in football circles.

“I think that only in the new year we will hear something concrete about this case.

“We will have to pull ourselves together and get through Christmas. Then we can brighten up our January with exciting news about the result.”