Manchester City FFP Verdict Expected 'Within Weeks' as 'Extraordinary' 18-Month Delay Nears End

An "extraordinary" factor in the Man City FFP case suggests a verdict is imminent. Discover the impact of potential sanctions and the timeline for closure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Liability Phase: An "Extraordinary" Timeline

The long-running legal battle between Manchester City and the Premier League is reaching a critical inflection point. After a four-year investigation and a hearing process that concluded at the end of 2024, the independent commission is expected to deliver its verdict on liability within the coming weeks. Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor to the club, highlighted the "extraordinary" nature of the 18-month silence following the hearing, noting that the sheer duration suggests a complex and highly detailed judgment is being finalized to withstand inevitable appeals.

Potential Sanctions and the "Sanction Hearing" Mess

If the commission finds Manchester City liable for even a fraction of the 115 charges—which range from inaccurate financial reporting to non-cooperation—the process will transition into a secondary "sanction hearing." Unlike standard disciplinary cases, the complexity of this probe means that determining a fair punishment could take months. Borson warns that this could create a significant "mess," as the sports world waits for a final closure that might involve:

Heavy Fines: Likely reaching hundreds of millions of pounds.

Points Deductions: Potentially applied to future seasons.