Explained: Why Man City's rivals have 'reason to be angry' over secrecy surrounding hearing into 115 charges against Premier League champions

The confidential hearing between City and the Premier League officially began on 16 September 2024 in central London. The case, which is expected to drag on for approximately 10 weeks, revolves around City’s financial irregularities that date back to 2008 over their alleged failure to provide accurate details for player and manager payments and endorsement deals.

Wyness, who served as the chief executive at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009, voiced his concerns regarding the opacity of the hearing, as it is being conducted behind closed doors. He believes that since the other Premier League clubs are shouldering a significant portion of the legal costs, they should be privy to the proceedings of the court.

In an interview with the Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast, he said: "I can understand if the other clubs are upset. If you’re paying the bill, you have a right to see what’s going on. This will be deducted from the overall broadcasting share, so if it’s £20 million in legal fees – that’s a million from each club.

“But due to legal proceedings being as they are, they’ve decided it will be held in secret. Clubs have every right to be upset because they don’t know if their money is being well-spent. You don’t know if the Premier League have hired the wrong lawyers, or have spent too much on lawyers."

Wyness backed his arguments by referring to Everton's recent legal battle with the Premier League, in which the governing body reportedly spent five times more on expert witnesses than the club did.

“In the recent Everton case, the Premier League had their knuckles wrapped because they spent five times more on expert witnesses than Everton," he claimed.

“There is a case that if you’re spending someone else’s money, you’re not quite as careful. With the Premier League having a blank cheque, there’s not much accountability. Yes, there is a reason to be angry and question it – but the reality is that the clubs aren’t going to have much say.”

As both the Premier League and Manchester City continue to present their cases, a final verdict is anticipated no earlier than March 2025. If found guilty of wrongdoing, City could be punished with a points deduction or even expulsion from the English top-flight.