Manchester City FFP Verdict "Before Summer" As Expert Dismisses Immediate Relegation Claims

Football finance expert Stefan Borson reveals a "split trial" means Man City is unlikely to face immediate relegation as a liability verdict nears.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 5:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365 and Football Insider

The Reality of the "Split Trial" Process

Despite sensationalist reports suggesting Manchester City could face an immediate 60-point deduction and relegation before the end of the current 2025/26 season, financial experts have injected a dose of procedural reality into the conversation. Stefan Borson, speaking to Football Insider, clarified that the case is almost certainly being handled as a "split trial." In complex legal matters of this magnitude, the independent commission first determines "liability"—essentially a "guilty or not guilty" verdict on the 115 charges. Only after liability is established can a secondary phase begin to determine the appropriate "sanction." Because of this two-step hurdle, any points deduction or expulsion remains "very unlikely" in the immediate weeks.

A New Timeline: Liability Before Summer

The legal world, particularly sources connected to The Lawyer, indicates that the initial phase of the trial is reaching its conclusion. Borson suggests there is a "strong chance" the public will receive a definitive answer on whether Manchester City breached the rules "before the summer." However, he warned that this would only be the beginning of the end. Once the liability verdict is delivered—which is expected to be a massive, complex document—all parties will need significant time to digest the findings before moving to the sanctioning phase.

The Hurdles to Final Sanctions

Even if Manchester City is found liable for the breaches, several factors will delay the final punishment. First, the legal teams (barristers) and the independent commission members must coordinate their schedules for a second hearing. Second, there is the inevitable question of appeals. If City is found guilty, they are expected to appeal the liability decision before a sanction hearing even takes place. This could push the final resolution of the "dark cloud" hanging over the Etihad well into the 2026/27 season or beyond, effectively neutralizing the threat of a points deduction affecting the current title race or relegation battle.