Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial-rule charges brought against them by the Premier League, yet the league has not issued any official statement on the matter. A final public outcome may still be months away, as a sanctions hearing and a subsequent appeal are expected to prolong the process.
Guilty verdicts and club response
The charges cover the period between 2009 and 2018, with all but one resulting in a guilty finding. City have consistently maintained their innocence and are anticipated to challenge the outcome. The club has released two statements since the verdict was reported, while the Premier League has remained publicly silent.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak penned an open letter to supporters over the weekend, reiterating the club's position. In the letter, he wrote: "Following Friday's media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues."
Sanctions hearing timeline
According to a BBC Sport report, an independent panel will oversee a sanctions hearing to determine City's punishment. This process could take several months to complete, meaning a final resolution is not expected in the immediate future. The outcome of the hearing is unlikely to be made public until after City's appeal, which currently has no set timeline.
Speculation has suggested City could face anything from a points deduction or financial penalty to having some of their titles stripped, or even expulsion from the Premier League entirely.
Al Mubarak's letter to fans
In his letter, Al Mubarak added: "So have I. Here's what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."
He continued: "There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies."
Al Mubarak also referenced the club's upcoming fixtures, writing: "We have some exciting moments to look forward to after this international break. We travel to Anfield in a fortnight, and then host Paris St Germain in the Champions League back at Etihad Stadium - moments that give us an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family."
