Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that the outcome of the club’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules will be announced in one month.
The hearing, conducted by an independent commission, took place between September and December.
If City—who strongly deny the charges—are found guilty, the commission has the authority to impose severe penalties, including a massive points deduction or even relegation.
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While an official decision date had not been confirmed, it was widely expected to come in the first quarter of 2025.
Guardiola reinforced that timeline when responding to speculation that City’s record £180m January transfer window spending spree was driven by fears of a potential transfer ban.
“In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence,” Guardiola said. “After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”
City made four major signings in January, splashing out: £33.6m on Uzbekistan defender Abdoukodir Khusanov from Lens, £29.6m on teenage Brazilian talent Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, £63m on Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt and £50m on Spain U-21 midfielder Nico Gonzales from Porto
Their spending ranked as the second-biggest by a Premier League club in a winter transfer window, behind Chelsea’s £275m in 2023, and surpassed the combined outlay of all other top-flight English clubs.
Guardiola dismissed suggestions that City’s spending was linked to the financial charges, instead attributing it to squad reinforcement following a challenging season. His side currently sits fifth in the league, 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
He also pointed out that City’s transfer activity was balanced by profits made in recent seasons through player sales, including Cole Palmer’s move to Chelsea and Liam Delap’s transfer to Ipswich for a combined £57.5m.
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