Manchester City financial charges verdict faces ‘inexplicable’ delay
Financial expert Stefan Borson has described the prolonged delay in delivering a verdict on Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches as “inexplicable” and “totally unacceptable”.
The reigning Premier League champions were initially charged with 115 alleged breaches of financial fair play regulations in February 2023.
That figure has since risen to 130, covering a period of intense domestic success between 2009 and 2018.
A hearing into the allegations concluded in December 2024, but a final outcome remains unpublished.
Industry frustration over drawn-out process
Many within English football anticipated a resolution ahead of the upcoming top-flight campaign.
However, with no public announcement forthcoming, Borson has expressed bafflement at the extended timeline.
Speaking to TalkSport, the financial specialist suggested that a definitive conclusion remains completely absent.
“The general feeling around the industry is that there’s been no decision yet, as remarkable as that is. 19 months on, 20 months on almost, still no decision.”
“Totally unacceptable, of course, beyond all of the parties’ expectations about when they would receive a decision. Broadly inexplicable by any sport of norms in these sorts of matters.”
Stefan Borson
Comparisons with Chelsea’s FA charges
The current delay is not an isolated administrative incident within the English game.
Borson highlighted a similar lag regarding Chelsea, who faced a Football Association hearing in November over 74 alleged rule breaches involving football agents.
Despite being a straightforward sanction hearing, an outcome for the Stamford Bridge club is still pending eight months later.
“I don’t really know what’s going on with these cases in terms of the timings and why they’re so elongated, but they’re completely out of the realms of normality.”
Etihad spending points to confidence
Despite the looming threat of severe sanctions, the Manchester club continues to operate aggressively in the market.
Recent outlays on player contracts, backroom staff and a £400m stadium development project indicate a distinct lack of internal panic.
According to Borson, this sustained financial commitment suggests the Etihad hierarchy remain highly confident of clearing their name.