In the ongoing saga of Manchester City’s spending, they have lodged legal challenges against the Premier League’s 115 charges for alleged rule breaches.

  • Manchester City have lodged legal challenges against the Premier League’s 115 charges for alleged rule breaches, raising questions about the recent changes in Premier League’s rules and the appointment of Murray Rosen KC, an Arsenal fan, as the head of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel.
  • Rosen, despite being a member of Arsenal, is expected to lead the panel independently, drawing from his extensive experience in sports law and dispute resolution. He has dealt with more than 20 cases at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) since 2016.
  • The confidential proceedings, based on these alleged rule breaches, might result in serious consequences for Manchester City, including a potential points deduction or even expulsion from the competition, although the latter seems highly unlikely.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Manchester City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano look on before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Manchester City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano look on before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

In the latest turn of events, Manchester City have reportedly launched legal challenges against the Premier League’s 115 charges for alleged rule breaches.

The root of their contention appears to be the appointment of Murray Rosen KC as person who will appoint the chair of the disciplinary commission. The club alleges a potential bias due to Rosen being an Arsenal fan, something we covered back at the start of February (link above).

As reported by The Times, City are disputing the recent changes in the Premier League’s rules. The club argues that these changes should not apply retrospectively to investigations into alleged rule breaches.

Moreover, they challenge the involvement of Rosen, who, according to his website, is a “member of the MCC and Arsenal FC.”

It’s essential to understand, however, that Rosen’s membership at Arsenal primarily implies his eligibility to purchase tickets through the club. The Mail Online highlights that the panel will operate independently of Arsenal and all Premier League clubs, with no interference in the investigation process.

Rosen, who has dealt with sports disputes since 2016 and sat on more than 20 cases at the CAS, holds impressive credentials. Notably, he was not part of the CAS arbitration panel that saw Manchester City successfully overturn a two-year Champions League ban imposed by UEFA in 2020.

With an MA in Philosophy and Law from Trinity College, Cambridge, a Diploma in EU and Civil Law from the Brussels Free University, and an MA in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute London, Rosen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the panel.

Rosen’s commitment to fairness and the power and benefits of sports are evident from his online biography. It suggests that Manchester City can expect a just and thorough investigation into their alleged rule breaches, despite any concerns over his footballing allegiances.

These confidential proceedings might lead to significant consequences for Manchester City and it is perhaps not surprising to see them try to use anything they can to make them go away.

Although the possibility of a points deduction or even expulsion from the competition seems highly unlikely, it highlights the serious nature of these alleged rule breaches.

The club’s legal fight underlines the complexity of the situation and the tension that these charges have created.

It’s also worth noting that City’s legal representation contains Lord Pannick. Born in Islington, he also supports Arsenal.