Manchester City’s January transfer business has many pondering the status of the case over their 115 charges and the latest update suggests it will be a while before its conclusion. It’s been over a year since the private hearing took place after the club were accused of 115 rule breaches by the Premier League in February 2023.
Marc Guehi is on the brink of becoming City‘s latest signing, and he is set to join the club from Crystal Palace in a £20m deal. This follows Antoine Semenyo’s arrival from Bournemouth for £62.5m earlier this month.
City have gone about their transfer business throughout the case, and if Guehi arrives, their transfer net spend since December 2024 could reach almost £500m. They were charged in February 2023, but there have been constant delays, leaving fans questioning why the case is taking so long.
Man City’s 115 Charges Potential Outcome Date Revealed
Premier League – Fulham v Manchester City – Craven Cottage, London, Britain – December 2, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the match REUTERS/David Klein
It doesn’t appear that the case will be concluded anytime soon, and The Independent reports that three judges have yet to make a decision. This was revealed by the club in their publication of annual accounts in December.
According to reports, sources with knowledge of the process think the case could yet go on for at least a year, and potentially much more, meaning it may not be resolved until beyond 2027.
The judges working on the case have been working on other cases. City are expected to “strongly appeal” any unfavourable outcome and insist on their innocence.
Pep Guardiola was asked about the delay in a decision earlier this month, and he responded: “It’s the same question I ask you; I don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe you have better info than me.”
The initial judgment is likely to only be on liability and sources maintain that City will only have “narrow grounds for appeal” according to Premier League rules. This is expected to take no longer than a year unless there are “considerable flaws in the Premier League case.”
Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City earlier this month.
City haven’t been deterred from spending during the case and were busy in the summer transfer window. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli all arrived at the Etihad for £152m.
While the case is often referred to as 115, it is actually related to around 129-130 charges. A decision was initially expected in February 2025, but it has been delayed for what will be a year come next month.
How Are Premier League Clubs Responding to the Delay?
Given the length of the case, it comes as no surprise to hear that some Premier League clubs are “irritated” and feeling fatigued. Several top-flight teams want the process to be over as legal fees are thought to be in the tens of millions for both sides.
Senior figures representing the Premier League are frustrated by the pace amid the uncertainty over a resolution. There’s every chance City appeal if the outcome isn’t in their favour, and if they do, the legal fees involved are likely to be considerably more.
City’s representatives, including Guardiola, get frustrated when the case is raised and the report points out that it’s unfair to leave fans and the club with such uncertainty weighing over them. According to Premier League rules, a possible sanction if the Cityzens are found guilty is a points deduction, a fine, or even expulsion from the top flight.
The ongoing transfer activity at the Etihad raises doubts about the worst punishment coming to fruition. The Sky Blues aren’t just buying new players to strengthen Guardiola’s squad, but also to ensure their top stars remain at the club. Erling Haaland signed one of the most lucrative deals in sporting history in January 2025 and doesn’t expire until 2034.