Panel set to hear Man City 115 charges case on September 16

Premier League title favourites Manchester City are finally having to go to court over their 115 breaches of EPL financial rules. An independent panel is set to hear the EPL’s case against the Cityzens on Monday, September 16. The panel is expected to take at least two months before reaching a final verdict.  
 
The EPL alleges that Man City have broken the league’s financial rules 115 times since the 2009/10 season. Specifically, the league says Man City misrepresented sponsorship values and failed to disclose payments to former head coach Roberto Mancini.  

Trial date finally announced 

The Premier League announced their charges against Manchester City all the way back in February 2023.  
 
Since then, fans up and down England have chanted “115 charges” and used banners with the phrase to ‘banter’ Man City, but no action has actually been taken against the club.  
 
That could all change in the next couple of months. The first hearing is set to be held on September 16. Barring any setbacks, the independent panel should deliver their verdict within two months. Even in the worst case scenario, the panel should have a decision before the end of the 2024/25 EPL season.  

Big fight looming 

One of the reasons that it has taken so long to get a hearing for this issue is because of Man City’s pushback on the charges.  
 
The Cityzens insist that they have done nothing wrong. Their owners in Abu Dhabi have gone as far as to say the EPL are biassed against clubs Gulf State owners.  
 
With a hearing on the horizon, the protests are sure to get more heated. Some reports even claim Man City will do everything in their power to muddy the waters and make the entire case seem like a biassed ‘farce’ against their club.  
 
The EPL, to their credit, have stayed out of the fray and not publicly commented much about the case. This could change though once the hearing starts.  
 
It’s believed that the EPL and several top clubs view this case as pivotal for the league’s future. If Man City go unpunished, the league will not have any credibility to punish other clubs for breaking league rules, they say.  

Man City relegation odds skyrocket 

It’s too early to say what punishments the EPL might actually bring against Man City. But one thing is on everyone’s mind: relegation.  
 
Man City are simultaneously the betting sites favourite to win the league and one of the eight most likely teams to be relegated this season.  
 
Many Australian soccer betting sites are offering $10 odds on Manchester City being relegated from the Premier League this season. Some international bookmakers are offering the same bet with odds as low as $7.  
 
For context, Arsenal have $2001 odds to go down this season. Crystal Palace, who are 16th in the league right now, are listed at $12. 

Conclusion 

Considering the EPL’s past punishments, relegation seems unlikely for Man City, but who knows. EPL bettors and betting sites seem to think that it is on the table. For now, we just have to wait and see.