Chelsea has been punished, when will it be Manchester City's turn?

Chelsea's official punishment for past financial violations not only concludes one of the long-running cases in European football, but also raises a major question: when will Manchester City face a final verdict?

Chelsea has been fined £10 million, accompanied by a one-year transfer ban (suspended for two years) and restrictions on registering academy players for nine months. This marks the conclusion for the violations that occurred under former owner Roman Abramovich, a period when financial regulations were not as strictly monitored as they are today. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that Chelsea proactively self-reported the issues and fully cooperated with the regulatory body, which is considered a factor that helped them receive a more lenient penalty than anticipated.

Meanwhile, public attention has shifted to Manchester City, the club facing 115 charges of violating Premier League financial regulations. After a four-year investigation, City is accused of concealing actual revenue, "transforming" owner funds into sponsorship deals, as well as failing to fully disclose salaries for players and coaching staff. The club denies all charges.

The direct hearing took place from September to December 2024, but so far no official conclusion has been announced. This prolonged silence has surprised many other Premier League clubs, especially since isolated cases like Everton or Nottingham Forest previously took months to resolve, despite being much smaller in scale.

The league organizers cannot comment on the judicial process until a final verdict is reached. However, this lack of transparency further prompts public questioning about the consistency and speed of the English football management system.

What makes Manchester City's case particularly complex is the unprecedented number of charges, along with sensitive details related to financial structure and sponsorship relationships. A mysterious figure, referred to as "Person X," is even believed to play a central role in arranging controversial sponsorship funds.

In this context, the question is not only whether Manchester City will be convicted, but also, if so, how severe the punishment will be. Could they face point deductions, transfer bans, or even title stripping? And if appeals are made, this process could drag on for many more years.

Compared to Chelsea, which admitted wrongdoing and cooperated, Manchester City chose to deny everything, which could prolong the case. But this also raises an issue of fairness: if one club has been punished, can another club with larger-scale violations continue to "remain untouched" for a long time?

Modern football is entering a phase where financial transparency is becoming a critical factor. Regulatory bodies like the Premier League, FA, and even FIFA are under pressure to decisively resolve lingering cases to protect the integrity of the sport.

Chelsea has been punished, and their story is considered closed. But for Manchester City, everything remains in a state of "suspense."