Tottenham’s Daniel Levy issues thoughts on Manchester City and 115 Premier League charges | OneFootball

The case surrounding Manchester City and their 115 charges has “gone on for far too long”, according to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Levy’s comments follow recent remarks from Premier League CEO Richard Masters, who offered a public apology for the lack of updates and reiterated the confidential nature of the legal process. The consensus appears to be forming that resolution is needed swiftly, not only for those directly involved but also for the wider reputation of the league.

The charges were first brought against City in February 2023 after a four-year investigation into alleged breaches of financial rules, including claims of failing to provide accurate financial information related to sponsorship revenue, operating costs, and staff remuneration.

The club also stands accused of not cooperating with the investigation since its launch in 2018, with the case having since been passed to an independent commission before concluding late last year.

City have consistently denied any wrongdoing, issuing a firm statement in early 2023 claiming they were “surprised” by the allegations and backed by a “body of irrefutable evidence.” The club continues to express confidence in a positive outcome, referencing past success in overturning similar accusations, most notably in 2020 – when their UEFA-imposed ban from European competition was lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Now, speaking exclusively to Gary Neville’s The Overlap, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has offered his own personal opinions around the ongoing case concerning Manchester City and their 115 Premier League charges.

“I think it would be really unfair of me to talk about another club in the Premier League, all I would say is that it’s going through a process which I think has gone on for far too long,” Levy said.

“It needs to be brought, for the good of the game, to a conclusion one way or another. It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been able to resolve things internally rather than the recourse of the lawyers, who are earning a lot of money out of this.”

Levy’s comments add further weight to recent reports by The Independent, who claimed that insiders expect a potential verdict to arrive in either September or October – possibly timed with one of the autumn international breaks.

While expulsion from the Premier League has been raised as a theoretical maximum punishment, such an outcome would require approval from 15 of the 20 clubs – an outcome that is widely viewed as politically unlikely.

Some executives at rival clubs, according to previous reporting, are more inclined to accept a punishment that “allows everyone to get on with it” rather than continue with a saga that many now believe is harming the Premier League’s credibility.

If a decision is made in the coming months, the situation could still drag on for years due to the expected appeals process. Even if the independent commission delivers a ruling before the end of 2025, any sanction could be stalled by complex legal proceedings – something Daniel Levy alluded to in highlighting the involvement of lawyers and the financial burden on all parties.