Manchester City’s trial over their 115 charges officially begins today, with the Premier League aiming to impose heavy penalties if the club is found guilty. In February 2023, after a four-year investigation, City was charged and referred to an independent commission for allegedly breaching financial rules between 2009 and 2018—during a period when they dominated English football. The club has strongly denied these allegations and now has the opportunity to defend its position in court, confident in its legal team’s ability to clear their name.
The club’s defense is led by Lord Pannick, a highly respected lawyer with a stellar reputation. Man City is optimistic, given Pannick’s track record, particularly in 2020, when he played a pivotal role in overturning UEFA’s two-year ban on the club’s participation in European competitions. The ban, based on alleged Financial Fair Play breaches between 2012 and 2016, was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, thanks in part to Pannick’s efforts, which also reduced City’s fine from £26.9m to £8.4m.
Lord Pannick’s legal career is illustrious and includes advising former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the Partygate inquiry and defeating the UK government in the Supreme Court over the 2019 prorogation of Parliament. Appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 1992, he has worked on high-profile cases, including advising the Hong Kong government and representing Shamima Begum. With two Oxford degrees and a focus on public, human rights, and constitutional law, Pannick has established himself as one of the top barristers, known for his brilliance and courtroom presence.
Man City’s future in the Premier League is on the line, and the club’s owners have spared no expense in hiring Pannick, who is reportedly earning £5,000 per hour for his services—potentially over £200,000 per week during the trial, along with a bonus if City avoids sanctions.
On the opposing side, Adam Lewis KC, an expert in sports law, is expected to lead the Premier League’s case. He recently played a key role in Everton’s Profit and Sustainability hearing, where the club was found to have violated rules.
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