The Premier League title race is effectively on hold until Manchester City's financial fair play case is resolved, with clubs and fans unsure how the table will look after a potential points deduction. City currently lead the league, but their ongoing case has cast doubt over the validity of the standings.
Uncertainty over City's future
Manchester City are clear at the top and appear to be using the Premier League case to fuel their campaign. Enzo Maresca's men have seven straight wins, and normally this would be built up as an exciting showdown with Arsenal, with questions over whether Brighton can last the pace. Instead, the table is not being taken seriously because of the assumption that, at some point, City will be docked all those points and there will be a reset in the title race.
There is also a question over whether the ongoing City case is affecting the way other challengers are approaching games. Liverpool are nine points behind, but are they really? Chelsea might end up being surprise title challengers, but are they five points off the top or eight? Five looks do-able, eight already looks intimidating.
Brighton's impressive season
Brighton are proving to be one of the best stories of the season. Fabian Hurzeler has built an exciting, well-coached and attacking team. They put three past Arsenal, smashed five past Crystal Palace and might push for a top four place. However, they would likely get more coverage if the table was a reality rather than a holding pattern.
The problem is that tension cannot be injected into the title race until there is a clear picture of what the future holds for City. City look the best team in the Premier League right now, playing some of the best football and providing great entertainment. In any normal season, this would be built as an epic fight between City and Arsenal.
Timeline for the appeal
There is a set - or recommended - timescale of 12 weeks for City's appeal to be heard. They have lodged an appeal, are insistent they will be cleared and have the evidence to prove it. The Independent Football Regulator chair David Kogan said: "My understanding is that there is a prescribed process which is 12 weeks and so people are assuming it will be heard by the middle or end of January. The Premier League have said they want this resolved within season. I think we'll know in the early part of next year which is still of course in season."
The Premier League statement in finding City guilty in the first instance talked about the full process (including appeal) being "concluded as soon as possible" rather than abiding to a set timescale. The sanctions are separate from the appeal and could be decided and announced whenever is appropriate. There is a feeling among clubs that the sanctions may be imposed at the same time as the appeal verdict is known.
That may mean City's fate is known in January, but that cannot be set in stone. City could still challenge the legal process after the sanctions are imposed, so it has the potential to drag on even after the appeal outcome and punishment is delivered. That scenario would at least offer some clarity and give back the league. The original case took too long, but the depth and seriousness of the case gives context as to why the Premier League took as long as it did. There is no quick fix here, and that means the title race is well and truly on hold.
