Manchester City’s hearing over 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules began yesterday. The topic has dominated the headlines since yesterday. It will likely continue to do so over the coming months before a verdict is announced. But another portion of Manchester City’s hearing has suddenly become the focus of attention. Frankly, the answer to the new question being posed is fairly straightforward and not part of a wide-ranging conspiracy.
First of all, Jeremy Wilson has reported for the Telegraph that Premier League clubs are frustrated by the secrecy surrounding Manchester City’s hearing. Wilson’s article goes on to quote various lawyers and sources that hearings of the nature of Manchester City should be held in public. This will lead to greater transparency in how any verdict in cases like Manchester City’s is reached as per Wilson’s article. The points raised in Wilson’s article are all valid topics and potentially something worth revisiting in time.
But from there we start to get into the more outlandish takes on the same issue. Football commentator Ian Darke asked on X why City’s hearing being held behind closed doors. The tweet can be seen below.
Just remind me – why is the Man City case being held in secret ? Isn’t this still a democracy?
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) September 17, 2024
An article from Tony Attwood for untold-arsenal.com implies that Manchester City’s hearing is being held in private due to the potential implications of any potential verdict. But the answer to the new topic isn’t as exciting as some wide-ranging conspiracy it’s extremely straightforward.
Premier League rules state that Manchester City’s hearing must be held in private.
The answer to why Manchester City’s hearing in front of an independent panel is being held in private can be found in Jeremy Wilson’s article in the Telegraph. Section W of the Premier League’s rules states that the hearing must held in private. That’s the answer as to why City’s hearing is being held in front of a three-man independent panel in private. It’s as simple as that. There is no grand conspiracy to the answer to the question as to why City’s hearing is being held in private. It’s just part of the standard procedure for these types of hearings. Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Everton’s hearings were all held in private and so is Manchester City’s. That’s the end of the topic.
But that answer isn’t as exciting as the possibility of a potential conspiracy being at play. Nor is it as sexy as the idea that Manchester City’s case threatens the future of football and must be kept from the public. There is no conspiracy at play, City’s hearing is unfolding in accordance with the Premier League’s rules.
Manchester City’s hearing is being held in private as per the Premier League’s rules. That’s it. Nothing more to it. Those rules are voted on by the Premier League clubs and need a 14-club majority to come into effect. While that answer isn’t as exciting as a potential conspiracy it’s just the way it is and will be throughout City’s hearing. Frankly, that’s the end of the story.
