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A new timeline for the outcome of Man City's Premier League charges has been outlined (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire.)

New reports are suggesting Manchester City could learn the outcome of their trial against the Premier League quicker than expected in January.

However, legal experts have warned Liverpool and other rivals that appeal processes are likely to spill into the 2025/26 season.

A hearing six years in the making finally began on September 16.



Over the past three months, solicitors of both Man City and the Premier League have presented their arguments surrounding the 130 charges - updated after 115 were initially reported - of financial misconduct dated between 2009 and 2018 levied against the reigning champions by the league itself.

That process came to a reported conclusion last Friday, December 6, which officially kickstarts the next stage of the process.

Prior reports had suggested deliberation between an independent panel would produce a verdict close to - if not after - the end of the 2024/25 campaign in May.

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However, The Times have provided a fresh update claiming that Man City, who say they have 'irrefutable evidence' to deny all wrongdoing in this case, could actually learn their fate before the end of January.

Liverpool are just one English top-flight team that will keep a vested interest from the sidelines.

As a start, they will wish to know what punishment is dealt to their on-field rivals if they are handed a guilty verdict.

During the nine-year window of their alleged breaches, Man City won three league titles - the 2013/14 triumph coming at the direct expense of Liverpool, who under Brendan Rodgers finished two points behind in second place.

In the years after 2018, Jurgen Klopp's side then finished runners-up by a single point in the 2018/19 and 2021/22 campaigns.

Whilst these are not covered by the case, it remains to be seen how potential punishments would tarnish these recent years or indeed the future, were relegation to be possibly enforced on the Abu Dhabi-owned club.

It was also reported during the trial that Man City were expecting rivals such as Liverpool to contact them to serve legal notices before the deadline passed, which reserves the right to seek damages if the eight-time Premier League champions are found guilty.

However, the catch is that there is no guarantee the verdict will be delivered by the end of next month, as each and every single charge must be reviewed with utmost attention to detail.

The Times also relayed the expectation of legal experts, who believe that appeals - which are expected no matter which side loses this trial - will mean a full outcome does not arrive until after the 2025/26 season begins next August.

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For example, were Man City found guilty and relegation, points deductions, titles stripped or financial sanctions imposed upon them, the independent panel could be fit to introduce these as a suspended sentence to allow for appeals to take place.


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