Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has hinted an end is not in sight for the club's legal case against the Premier League, admitting it will "take a lot more time" for it to be completed. Soriano was speaking at a meeting with other European club chiefs and felt the need to speak on the topic following news of their 114 alleged financial breaches.
Timeline update at Copenhagen meeting
City are understood to be appealing the outcome, with that being the next step in the process and exactly why the belief is a final outcome is some way off. Soriano has seemingly supported the idea through comments made during a European Football Clubs board meeting in Copenhagen on Monday.
According to the Press Association, he said: "It's taken eight years to get here, and it's going to take a lot more time." Soriano did not speak to any media at the event, but his message to other bosses is certainly an indication of how long things will take.
Background and chairman's statement
2018 marked the beginning of the Premier League's formal investigation into the alleged irregularities, with some charges stemming from City's failure to cooperate with their probe. Among those attending the meeting were Everton owner Dan Friedkin, who also holds a major stake in Roma, and Manchester United's head of international football relations Jean-Claude Blanc.
Though speaking unofficially, having refused to engage with journalists, Soriano's remarks echo the statement issued by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak over the weekend. Part of that read: "Following Friday's media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. 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."
Potential penalties and further legal action
"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."
"I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023. Every word matters and holds true." As referenced by the 50-year-old, City had issued two additional statements on the matter, both of which featured declarations of their innocence.
Despite the challenge, City are anticipated to discover their potential penalties before that procedure concludes, with many demanding punishment as severe as title removal and Premier League ejection. Both of those scenarios seem improbable, but City could indeed face a hefty points deduction that essentially relegates them. Further trouble may be on the horizon, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham reportedly preparing to take legal action.
