Man City ruling could come down in January, appeal could drag on into next season

Premier League club Manchester City could learn its fate over the charges for multiple alleged breaches of the league's rules "before the end of January" -- but legal experts think that any appeal “will drag on until next season,” according to Martyn Ziegler of the London TIMES. The hearing into more than 100 alleged rule breaches over a 14-year period came to an end on Friday after "nearly three months of legal argument." A source said that the three-man panel would be “acutely aware of the attention focused on the outcome of the case and would be working flat out to get their judgment out as soon as possible.” The source indicated that “could be the end of January,” but the number of alleged rule breaches and the complexity of the case “could mean that it is delayed.” Ziegler noted Man City could be "hit with a heavy points deduction or even relegation if the more serious charges are proved." The source said that an appeal of that "could take six to eight months to be completed." Ziegler noted the Premier League’s investigation into Man City has been "going on for five years and the legal costs for both sides are expected to be enormous.” The Premier League racked up legal costs of $61.3M last season -- "six times the amount it had budgeted for -- with a large amount dealing with this case and City’s legal challenge against associated party transaction rules" (London TIMES, 12/9).