23 Jul 2026 16:35:11
Stefan Borson, football finance expert on TalkSport about the 130 charges against Citeh;
"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.
You'd wonder are they waiting until City get all their summer recruitment business completed first."
23 Jul 2026 17:07:04
I'm over it, personally.
23 Jul 2026 17:16:04
The 115 charges will eventually boil down to about 6. Citty will get something like a 12 point deduction and a fine, a token punishment, which they'll appeal, and probably win. We will not get the just result we wished for.
It's not by chance that it's taking so much time, the longer it drags on the less people care about it, this is preferable for all involved, including the league.
23 Jul 2026 17:37:34
I'd love it (channelling my inner KK RIP) if the post that went up a few days ago comes true, that they will get a 60 point deduction after the window has closed...
23 Jul 2026 18:15:22
They can't be worried after shelling out £100m plus for Anderson, big contracts etc.
23 Jul 2026 18:44:24
That's the best way Oli, the whole thing has been farcical. City will likely get a fine and probably have the cheek to pay it in instalments.
23 Jul 2026 19:17:26
Or pay double, AAR91, just to make a point, money means nothing to them, and they can do what they like.
23 Jul 2026 21:43:48
Chewy is right. Most of the charges are minor infractions which would normally just be a small fine.
There's maybe 7 main ones which should incur stronger penalties if proven guilty - these are the ones which I imagine they'll eventually get away with.
23 Jul 2026 21:47:05
The whole saga is a blight on football in general. But you know what? I've a lot more important things to care about.
23 Jul 2026 22:04:52
Like the billionaires who control our governments, there ain't a whole lot we can do about it
24 Jul 2026 08:09:35
Most are just noise, failure to cooperate types etc., but there are maybe half a dozen very serious, related to inflated sponsorship, manager remuneration - Mancini paid from 2 accounts and receiving a £4m 'consultancy' payment for basically an interview given being two main ones there - that are the ones to watch out for - if they have been proven through then the sanctions could be severe.
Worth remembering the UEFA case too, they lost on appeal not due to what was proven per se but the fact City produced a new witness who verified the timing of the charges - these were thus outside the statute of limitations according to UEFA laws.
The judges at the time commented on this as to why this witness etc. was not produced at the time, only at the appeals stage, made further comments too which is unusual in such cases.
But yeah, it has honestly taken far too long for any of us to believe anything will actually happen.