Man City ‘launch their legal challenge against the Premier League’s 115 charges of financial rule breaks – and object to them using the barrister who is leading the panel because he’s an ARSENAL FAN’
Manchester City have lodged legal challenges against the Premier League over the 115 charges of alleged rule breaches, according to reports.
The reigning Premier League champions are believed to be disputing both the legality of the charges brought against them and the barrister in charge of the case.
According to The Times, the dispute has arisen in relation to changes in the English top-flight’s rules, with the six-time champions of the belief that they should not apply to investigations into alleged rule breaches before their introduction.
In addition to that, the fact that the barrister at the head of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel is an Arsenal fan, with Murray Rosen KC – who is able to appoint himself – a self-proclaimed supporter of City’s direct title challengers.
The case brought against Man City is not thought to produce a result for at least two to four years, with this most recent development set to delay proceedings even further.
Manchester City have reportedly lodged legal challenges against the Premier League over the 115 charges of alleged rule breaches
Murray Rosen KC is head of the Premier League’s Judicial Panel and will chair the independent commission looking into alleged rule breaches by Manchester City
Murray Rosen’s online biography states he is a member at Arsenal and also of the MCC. He also enjoys playing real tennis and table tennis
Although a legal dispute between the two parties ought to initially reach an arbitration tribunal, it could potentially progress to a High Court and Court of Appeal.
City received legal papers from the Premier League in February initially announcing the charges over alleged financial rule breaches.
The club however made it abundantly clear that they would take all available steps to defend themselves from the charges, and claimed to have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back up their case.
There have been a number of changes to the top-flight’s rules over the past few campaigns, and it is as yet unclear which of the rule changes the challenge is directed at.
A change in the rules in February 2022 dictated that individuals must offer up information or documentation on request, as well as answer questions ‘comprehensively’ and on a ‘co-operative and open basis’.
The 2016-17 season saw a further change to guidelines, stating that all clubs must comply ‘in full’ with Premier League investigations and supply information requested by the competition.
However, should the charges of alleged breaches are proven, then there could be a raft of potential consequences for the club.
These could range from a points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League altogether.
The investigation into the club came to the public’s attention earlier this year with the allegations being made in February, however it was in fact part of a process that has gone on behind the scenes for around four years under top secrecy.
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