A long and frustrating wait for clarity in English football could soon be over and no club has more reason to care than Liverpool.
According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, a decision on Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations is now expected “this month”.
That would end a saga which has dragged on for almost three years and overshadowed multiple title races, Pep Guardiola stated we would hear news in February or March 2025 and we are long past that deadline.
The Independent reports that the recent settlement of the Associated Party Transaction (APT) case may have paved the way for a conclusion to the main hearing, with senior Premier League figures “bracing themselves” for the long-awaited verdict.
115 charges and 32 months of waiting for Liverpool
For us, this isn’t just a story about football governance. It’s about justice for two of the most fiercely contested title races in recent memory.
We finished a single point behind City in both 2018/19 and 2021/22, margins that still sting given what has since come to light.
Jurgen Klopp even joked earlier this year that he’d “buy the beer” if Liverpool were ever awarded extra league titles in the aftermath of the case, saying fans could “have a parade in my garden” if justice was served.
These comments from Klopp highlight how seriously Liverpool supporters take the outcome of this process, even if no one expects retrospective trophies.
The Premier League braces for “the big one”
Delaney’s report makes clear that while the APT settlement helped stabilise certain financial rules, the 115 charges remain “an entirely separate judicial process” – one that could still reshape the competitive landscape of the league.
City, for their part, continue to insist on their innocence.
But after waiting since February 2023, it finally appears that the process may be nearing its conclusion, with Premier League lawyers reportedly “locked away” finalising proceedings.
Whatever happens next, Liverpool fans will know this story isn’t just about one club’s alleged wrongdoing, it’s about restoring integrity to the competition that defines us.
You can watch Slot’s post Chelsea press conference via Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
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What a sad state of affairs, relying on a court to hand you a title which was won on the pitch, no matter how much other teams may complain. You really are going to be disapointed when City are found not guilty. But in reality that will make no difference as City will no doubt subjected to numerous conspiracy theories and accusations of bribery.
Sorry to disappoint, Pete, but not sure many genuine Reds will be “relying” on winning trophies this way, my friend.
We’d rather win them fairly. It feels better that way.
What the City#115 issue does say on a wider view, is that whatever happens in regard to City’s alleged transgressions, there will be hard and fast rules laid down with future sustainability at their heart.
City have had their reputation stained somewhat. There is evidence to show sharp practice, but they have built up their global brand in the process.
Maybe that was the aim from the beginning ?
Best behaviour from them from now on with their financing should help any stigma eventually recede.
With the new regulator (Mr. Kogan and team ?) in place, other clubs with possible plans for sharpened elbows should seriously take note.
No need for bitterness, pal.
The rules may present a more level playing field.
Take a look at U.S. sport. No one team dominates for too long.
Pete D you and I know that City has always been having things their way Vincent Company against MO Salah only gets a yellow,he was the last man,Jeremy Doku boots Macallister in the chest no penalty, Rodri clear handball against Everton no penalty match ends in a draw just to Nam a few incidents
Indeed, Floyd.
A possible hint (though not provable) that since Utd and Arsenal in the 90’s, Chelsea from the Abramovich era, and City with the oil money, if one owner is pumping huge amounts of money into the game, they may well expect things to go their way ON the pitch at decisive moments ?
All the more reason to fight for transparency, accountability and level playing field in terms of how refereeing is applied ?
The Doku one was correct, MacA ran into his foot. He could’ve pulled out.
The Rodri handball at Goodison was a real reffing disappointment though.
The referee/VAR gifted City 3pts that day when they only should’ve took one (if the resulting penalty had been scored).
City won the title by one point, as one recalls. Ifs and buts, one knows.
These things often come around at some point though.
You’re deluded thinking we want your tainted titles. Just having them stripped from the cheats would do fine!
I think you’ll find two premier league titles were won already and that was against a team who in deed breached the leagues rules. So nobody at Liverpool needs to rely on a court hearing. Maybe arsenal or Manchester United would though!!
All they will get is a slapped wrist and a fine, no deduction of points, nothing will happen to their Premier League titles…. Absolute zilch, nada, nothing.
That may well happen, Graham, but some good may come of it now it’s been brought out into the open how clubs have acted in the past in order to dominate the silverware.
The proof may well come when eventually one club/owner steps outside of the rules.
We’ll then see how much clout they have.
My gut tells me City won’t be the force they have been in the last decade as much.
They’ll be looking to replace Pep soon too.
See previous post to Pete D, Graham.
They will get away with it as usual where money is they will give someone a back hander to drop the charges
Not if that person wants to end inside an investigation, Alun.
There’s a clean up in operation in case you hadn’t noticed and lots of audits trails leading to some in high-ish places who should’ve known better and improved their behaviour.
Get over it our players were better than yours, we won it on the pitch over 38 games, with good & bad refereeing decisions for everyone, ifs & buts are just excuses, if elephants had wings they could fly. Man city have had to fight a corrupt premier league system as well as 19 other premier league football clubs & still dominated through shear skill & ability
If City are found not guilty of the charges it will be a smack in the face for clubs who have already paid the price by points deduction in the premier league.
A fine would be a farce to Billionaire owners loose change.
I don’t think the penalty should be any different due to the financial status of the club.
Rules are there to be fair to all and must be consistent for all clubs
Perhaps it’s best to look at the past as a process to learn from if we (footy fans in general) want to see clubs not just “buying” silverware.
All clubs should maximise their revenue as best they can, (bearing in mind their status and fan base) and as you say in your last point, it should be fair and consistent.
Unfortunately one or two clubs have a case history of not playing to the rules and some individuals employed by them are incorrigible in their desire to find loopholes for cheating a fair system.
A “smack in the face” ?
Maybe, but personally, I’d put this one down to experience, but will also be expecting proper and austere sanctions on any club/individual who tries to fiddle with a level playing field in the future, be that financially or with points.
A fine to a billionaire ? It would (by the rules) have to come from a club’s revenue, therefore affecting PSR.
ie. they couldn’t sugar daddy it without breaking rules.
Sport is there for all. It’s a vital part of our societies.
The moment elitists try to take it from the people, (they may even try to persuade the people it’s what they really want), it becomes unsustainable and harms the balance in societies.
All clubs/owners (when they pass the ownership test) now know where they stand.
It’s going to be interesting to see which, if any
clubs, chance their arm in doing so.
The EPL should put a cap on salaries on a sliding scale.
That’s possibly best controlled by clubs to varying degrees by the PSR, John (good gangster name btw.)
Don’t forget, the EPL still has to be able to compete with likes of La Liga (and now Saudis – at least in the short term) to attract the best players, in order to present the best product.
If UEFA/FIFA sorted it globally (and in concert with other regional governing bodies, it might work, but it would need strong policing.