Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein is "worried" over the 115 financial charges the club are facing at the 'Trial of the Century'.
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City charged with FFP violations over nine-year periodThe hearing began on MondayVerdict might not be out until spring 2025WHAT HAPPENED?
City have been accused of violating financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, and are now the subject of a long-awaited hearing. The legal process, which began on Monday, is expected to last for approximately two months, with a final verdict unlikely to be revealed before spring 2025.
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The charges cover a range of alleged breaches, from a failure to provide accurate financial details to non-cooperation with Premier League authorities during the investigation, which could result in serious consequences for the club. The harshest penalty could see City relegated from the Premier League, although fines and points deductions are also potential outcomes if they are found guilty.
WHAT DAVID BERNSTEIN SAID
Bernstein, who served as Manchester City's chairman from 1998 to 2003, shared his concerns about the charges in an interview with. He noted the gravity of the situation and expressed his unease as both a former chairman and a lifelong fan of the club.
"I am not surprised it has got to this stage. There are 115 charges, they cover a wide period of time, and on the surface, they are serious charges and have to be answered," Bernstein said. "In a way, they should have got this resolved somewhat earlier, but these things do take time. I am a City fan, as well as being an ex-chairman, and I am worried. On the surface, they look to be serious charges. City will have the best lawyers, they will defend themselves as they absolutely have the right to do and we will see what happens. This is really heavy stuff."
DID YOU KNOW?
City have enjoyed tremendous success over the last 15 years, transforming from a mid-table club to one of the world's most dominant football teams. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, City recently became the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive league titles. However, Bernstein is concerned that this remarkable achievement could be overshadowed if the club is found guilty of breaching financial regulations.
"It is a shame because the club has come from where it was, a club that was underperforming for many years, to become arguably the greatest performing club of all time with four Premier League [titles] in a row," Bernstein explained. "To have the possibility of that being tarnished is really sad, but we will see what happens. We may find that they are not guilty of these things."
