Former Aston Villa chief questions delay in Manchester City financial verdict
Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness has speculated that a secret settlement may be causing the prolonged delay in the verdict for Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches.
The reigning English champions were charged by the Premier League in February 2023 with violating financial regulations across a nine-year period spanning from 2009 to 2018.
An independent commission concluded a 12-week tribunal into the 115 allegations in December 2024, yet the footballing world remains waiting for an official outcome.
Legal delays or behind-the-scenes negotiations?
Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness expressed serious doubt over recent legal appraisals suggesting the holdup is merely due to panel judges being overwhelmed with other projects.
“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,” he noted.
“I question that.”
The former football executive instead theorised that alternative resolutions are currently being explored out of the public eye.
“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,” he added.
However, these comments remain pure speculation rather than a confirmed explanation from any governing body regarding the extended wait.
Guardiola’s future hangs in the balance
The Etihad Stadium outfit have steadfastly denied any wrongdoing throughout the entire process and reportedly remain highly confident of being fully exonerated.
If the club are ultimately found guilty, historical precedent dictates that sporting sanctions such as massive points deductions or relegation would be the most likely form of punishment.
Such an outcome could have severe implications for the managerial position, as the Catalan head coach has previously insisted he would immediately resign if he discovered the ownership had deceived him.
“I said to them: ‘If you lie to me, the day after I am not here,'” the former Barcelona boss famously declared when discussing the initial accusations.