Judges' Heavy Workload Behind Man City FFP Verdict Delay, Legal Source Claims

Manchester City's Financial Fair Play nightmare shows no signs of reaching a conclusion, with the Premier League's case against the club delayed because judges have been "busy on other cases," a legal source has revealed.

The Citizens endured a difficult campaign last season after winning the league title in each of their previous four years under Pep Guardiola. Currently sitting second in the Premier League after 33 matches, City remain under the shadow of their 115-charge FFP investigation with a verdict that was expected months ago still nowhere to be seen.

The independent commission hearing that examined the charges commenced in September 2024 and wrapped up in December 2024. The Premier League had opened its investigation into City back in 2018, though legal complications meant charges weren't formally laid until February 2023, at which point the case was referred to an independent commission.

The accusations centre on the club's failure to accurately report financial information, including sponsorship deal valuations, disclosure of managerial and player remuneration details, and adherence to UEFA's financial regulations alongside the Premier League's own profitability and sustainability rules. City are additionally charged with failing to cooperate with the league's investigation. The charges span every season from 2009-10 through to 2022-23.

Guardiola had predicted in February 2025 that a verdict and sentence would arrive within a month—by March 2025—but that timeline evaporated without explanation. The manager commented at the time: "In one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want.

"Because in the last 10 years we are third for net spend, but in the last five even with what we won we are behind the top six teams so I'm sorry for the comments and that is why I don't agree. In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six. Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, United, Arsenal, Tottenham. Even from Liverpool. The only reason why is we sell a lot in the last seasons but even with that I know this club, it is always 'just about the money.'"

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has cited the legal source's explanation about judicial workload, though he's far from convinced that tells the whole story. Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness said: "I read a very interesting appraisal of the situation from a legal source. They were saying that basically they believe that the judges have not had the right time, and they've been busy on other cases and that's the only reason behind it. I question that.

"I still think that there's a settlement of some sort being tried to be worked out and how they're going to handle the actual outcome. So look, we all know it's dragged on for too long. If this is the legal situation, that it is just the judges being too busy, then I'm afraid that's not good enough either."

Wyness has also raised concerns about what a potential City title win without a verdict would mean for the competition's credibility. "It would absolutely be a problem," he explained, "and its not just this one. All it does is add to the problems that have been mounting up. We've been saying for months, that it's been the chairman of the Premier League, Alison Brittain, who's done nothing to try and resolve this and come out and speak about it.

"The whole length of time revolving around this is really awful. If Man City were to win the league, then there would be even more questions about their behaviour if they're found guilty. A pure points deduction will still always leave that tainted feeling. Of course, they could be cleared and everybody will move on. But, we all know it's just taking so long."