David Kogan has given the clearest indication yet of when Manchester City’s appeal could be resolved, as the long-running Premier League case moves towards its next major stage.
Manchester City’s appeal against findings that they breached more than 100 Premier League rules could be resolved early next year, according to Independent Football Regulator chairman David Kogan.
Kogan says the Premier League wants the case concluded during the current season, with the new appeals process setting out a 12-week window for the hearing and a further 30 days for a judgment.
That timetable would put the appeal hearing deadline at December 18, although according to The Times, City could challenge whether those rules apply to proceedings that began before the new framework was introduced.
Kogan told Times Radio: “The Premier League have said they want to get this resolved within season. My understanding is there is a prescribed process, which is 12 weeks, and so people are assuming this will be heard by the middle or end of January.
“But it’s not our process, it’s the Premier League’s independent commission. City claim they have some form of silver bullet to win the appeal, and we’re not there to judge whether that’s right or wrong yet, but I think we’ll know early next year.
A separate hearing would determine any punishment if City’s appeal fails, potentially opening the way for another appeal and extending the process further, although there have been claims that the sanctions hearing could take place at the same time as City’s appeal to save time.
Once the appeal itself is complete, the regulator will consider whether anyone at City should be disqualified from owning or directing the club.
That power could ultimately have implications for Sheikh Mansour, including the possibility of being forced to sell.
Kogan has stressed that any decision by the regulator would be based on evidence and its own investigations rather than political considerations.
Questions have been raised over Britain’s trade relationship with the United Arab Emirates and the prime minister’s concerning comments about Mansour potentially leaving, but Kogan said there had been no political interference.
“The prime minister’s capable of saying whatever he wants to say,” he said. “You asked me whether we have had any interference politically in any of the judgments we’re making and I’m telling you we have not.
“We will take a judgment based on evidence, once the appeal has been heard by the independent commission, we’re going to have powers of investigation ourselves, and that will be what governs what we do.”
Kogan has also pledged to resign if anyone attempts to influence the regulator’s handling of the case.
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