David Cogan, chair of the Independent Football Panel in England, expects Manchester City's appeals to be heard after it was found guilty of over 100 breaches of English financial fair play rules, next January. City currently top the league table, having won six matches in six games following their 3-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend, with the club repeatedly affirming its innocence of the charges against it.
In the same context, no official sanction has been announced yet, but the club could face a significant points deduction leading to relegation, and there are speculations about the possibility of stripping it of the three league titles it won between 2009 and 2018. Cogan pointed out that the league wants to settle this case during the season, noting that the matter does not concern the Premier League but rather an independent panel composed of three judges or retired lawyers.
For his part, Cogan clarified that there is a specific 12-week procedure, so people assume the case will actually be heard by mid-January or its end. He affirmed that no judgment can be issued before matters are fully clarified, noting that he would resign if any future investigations by the governing body regarding City were to involve political interference.
He added that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism for his comments saying he would be extremely concerned if City's Emirati owners decided to leave the club after the ruling. The British Prime's Office was later forced to retract these statements, affirming that no one is above the rules, while Burnham published all his dealings with City's management.
Cogan affirmed that the body has not been subject to interference from any party since its establishment a year ago, stressing their unwillingness to manage an organization subject to this level of interference. For his part, the team's Italian coach Enzo Maresca said last week that he fully trusts the club, noting that he believes City will win the appeal.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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