Richard Keys drops 'big clue' over Man City FFP verdict as ex-Sky Sports presenter claims announcement on '130 charges is not far off'

A Financial Fair Play cloud has been hanging over the Etihad Stadium for two years, with as many as 130 charges being levelled against the reigning Premier League champions. An independent hearing into supposed monetary mismanagement has been completed.

No verdict has been delivered as yet, meaning that various punishments - ranging from points deductions to expulsion from the top-flight - continue to be speculated on. City have maintained their innocence throughout.

Television presenter Keys, who now works for beIN Sports, believes that the Blues will get off lightly. He thinks that calls for Sky Sports journalists to rein in their criticism of City’s behaviour are an indicator that a slap on the wrists is about to be delivered.

Keys has posted in his personal blog: “I’m hearing we’re not far off from learning the outcome to the 130 charges City have faced. The smart money has got to be on a fudge. Why do I say that? Well – a number of reasons really.

“A big clue is Sky telling their pundits to go easy with their thoughts about the judgement. If City were going to get nailed I’m sure they’d be allowed to say what they like but I reckon their anger is going to have to be tempered.

“Just as the British govt got deeply involved in the decision to allow the Saudi’s to take over at Newcastle, it’s a certainty they’ll have had something to do with the outcome in this case. Boris Johnson didn’t want to p*ss MBS [Mohammed bin Salman] off – and Starmer can’t afford to fall out with the Emeratis. I might be wrong, but I don’t think so.”

City spent big again during the January transfer window, while tying star striker Erling Haaland down to a lucrative 10-year contract, which are considered to be further nods towards Pep Guardiola’s side avoiding the hardest of penalties when a final FFP decision is made.