Man City 115 charges 'conspiracy theory' revealed by ex-Liverpool director

A former Liverpool director has spoke of a "conspiracy theory" in regards to Manchester City's 115 charges case.

City were accused of 115 financial breaches back in February 2023 by the Premier League but fast forward three years and there has still not been an official verdict released.

A 10-week hearing began in September 2024 and was finished in December 2024, with the outcome from the three-person Independent Commission panel expected to be given not long after.

The result has been heavily delayed and City have continued to operate as normal, bringing in a plethora of new players and even agreeing substantial business deals.

In February last year, Pep Guardiola, whose side strenuously deny any wrongdoing, claimed he expected a verdict to be announced within the next month. That has not happened and in a recent update in January, Miguel Delaney of The Independent, said that there may be no progress for "at least another year" as he cited sources with knowledge of the process.

City are still waiting for a verdict in their 115 charges case. Image: Getty

There has been no specific reason given for the delay but in appearance on 'The Football Boardroom', co-hosted by journalist Henry Winter, former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow brought up a theory that many have mentioned relating to the charges.

The 62-year-old, who has had roles at Aston Villa and Chelsea, branded the idea that politicians and UK government are involved as "nonsense".

"The whole of 2025 and early 2026, we've been waiting for this written decision and we still are," Purslow said.

"It is not because the Premier League somehow want to delay it or kick it into the long grass.

"Think of them as the police, they have no influence over the judges in this decision. Ditto, by the way, conspiracy theories that somehow politicians are involved and influence is being sought.

"It's one thing having scenarios on public life where chairmen of public companies or regulated bodies like the Premier League might well have conversations with people in government - we all know those things do happen.

"But there's never been any suggestion in our country that we have a judiciary that is interfered with politically."

Winter interjected and highlighted that some corners believe City will escape any punishment if found guilty "because it's not in the country's interests".

City have a north stand expansion which is set to be completed. Image: Getty

Purslow continued to express his strong view, adding: "I think that is a complete conspiracy. In my opinion it is nonsense. Think of it this way, process whereby these three judges of this arbitration panel are doing their work, is a black box for everybody in football - for the Premier League and all of its executives, Manchester City, the UK government and all of these parties who have a point of view.

"It's rather like a papal conclave - nobody knows what's happening behind the scenes. Nobody knows when smoke will come out or whether smoke will be black or white."

Here is a full breakdown of the charges City face from Premier League:

• Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 54 alleged breaches
• Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 - present [February 2023] - 35 alleged breaches
• Failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 14 alleged breaches
• Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations from 2015/16 to and including 2017/18 - Seven alleged breaches
• Failure to comply with UEFA's regulations, including UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations - Five alleged breaches

City, who confirmed a settlement with the Premier League over APT rules, referred to the case in its 2024/25 annual finance report, and said that the commission "is still in the process of reviewing the matter".

In a conversation with Football Insider, Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor to City, called it "largely inexplicable that it could take over a year to produce a private arbitration decision of this type".

Purslow, meanwhile, encouraged the Premier League to "leave it to the lawyers" and "leave it to the process". He then stated that "the precedent is sporting sanction" and one that is "likely to be major points deductions".