Man City could seek to extend the timetable for their appeal against the Premier League’s guilty verdict by arguing that a new 12-week deadline should not apply to their case.
City lodged their appeal on 1 October after an independent commission found them guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club maintain their innocence and have described the commission’s findings as unsafe.
New rules introduced this season state that an appeal hearing should conclude no later than 12 weeks after an appeal is filed and can last a maximum of five days. On that basis, City’s hearing would have to be completed by mid-December, with the Appeal Board then given 30 days to deliver its decision.
Man City could challenge appeal timetable
However, Sky Sports reports that City’s lawyers could argue that the accelerated timetable should not apply to proceedings which began before the new rules were introduced. The Premier League issued its complaint against City in February 2023, while the independent commission held its 42-day hearing in 2024.
Sky says a legal expert believes City would have a strong case for arguing that the new timetable should not apply retrospectively. Any such challenge could have a significant bearing on when the case is finally resolved. Under the rules as they currently stand, the appeal hearing would be completed before Christmas, and a decision could follow in January.
If City successfully establish that the new timetable does not apply, however, the process could extend further into 2027. For now, that remains a possible legal argument rather than a confirmed position from the club.
The Premier League has confirmed that City’s appeal will be heard by an independent three-person Appeal Board, with proceedings remaining private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.
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