Manchester City are currently facing 115 charges for allegedly breaching financial regulations between the years 2009 and 2018. City deny all charges they are facing.
A verdict has been expected for some time, with late 2025 suggested previously as when fans might finally find out about any potential punishment. The I Newspapersuggested that it could even come this month, November, with a verdict overshadowing the imminent vote on Financial Fair Play rules.
“It’s gone very quiet, and because it’s been going on for so long, it’s almost been forgotten about, but all hell could break loose when it lands,” a source told The I Paper.
Several potential sanctions have been discussed, from serious fines to as far as points deductions. City will, however, have the right to appeal, which would be expected if the club were to be found guilty of any of the charges they are facing.
This would therefore extend the scenario again and delay the implementation of any potential sanctions, fines, or points deductions should they be issued.
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League table, four points clear of Manchester City. After the draw to Sunderland on Saturday and Pep Guardiola’s 3-0 defeat of Liverpool in his 1000th game as a manager, the gap was closed.
City’s chances of winning the title increased considerably among bookmakers as a result of the weekend’s action. The Gunners remain strong favourites as things stand and are expected to welcome back several players following the international break.
Guardiola has already been clear on his thoughts on the matter. The Spaniard signed a new contract with the club last year which sees him committed until at least 2027.
He said in November 2023: "At the moment we are innocent until it is proven we are guilty. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it, and after the sentence has been done, we will come here and explain it.
"But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends on being here or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."
Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has always been very diplomatic on the subject. Distancing himself despite having worked at Manchester City before he was appointed Arsenal head coach in December 2019.
"That’s something for the authorities to manage, it’s not for us,” Arteta said in May 2024. “If they are playing, it means they can play and they are entitled to play, and that’s it".
