‘Drag on for another two seasons’ – Why Man City’s 115-charge FFP case could hit 2026 as Premier League giants fight against fines, relegation or any other punishment

The Premier League champions were charged with financial mismanagement in 2023 following a lengthy investigation, with those misdemeanours dating back to 2009. Their case is due to be heard before the end of the year, but a final ruling may be some way off.

City have opened up their own legal case against the Premier League, when it comes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which is complicating matters further. With so much to get through, and nobody wanting to back down, a long-running saga appears set to rumble on for a while.

Ex-Everton chief Wyness – who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – shares that opinion and has told Football Insider of a complicated process: “There are two cases – the Man City legal challenge, and the 115 charges. With appeals, this could drag on for another two seasons. This is a very tricky situation to solve, and there has to be some way that this can be got through. People just don’t want it to drag on, they don’t need that. It affects the Premier League brand considerably. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got to think about his points about the top six having more say. Here is one of the top six potentially damaging the whole Premier League more than anything else. If they want that responsibility, they’ve got to show responsibility and not gallivant around shouting about a European Super League. Right now, these clubs are completely absent from any leadership position.”

There has been plenty of speculation regarding the punishments that could be handed out to City. Some have claimed that the Blues could be demoted from the Premier League, while there has also been talk of big points deductions or heavy fines.