The Premier League announced Tuesday that Manchester City breached financial rules for every season from 2009‑10 through 2017‑18.
Investigators say the club fabricated more than £900 million in revenue via fake sponsorships.
City continues to deny any wrongdoing and plans to file an appeal before week’s end.
Critics warn the three‑year saga could drag on far longer than expected.
An unnamed club official warned, “A quick resolution benefits everyone.”
When pressed, they replied, “We’re optimistic, but it must be handled correctly.”
“The risks of a delay are clear,” they added, noting the club has already clinched multiple titles during the inquiry.
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Another source believes the process should finish by season’s end, hoping any appeal will be fast‑tracked.
The independent commission will decide, though the league board and City can propose a suitable sanction beforehand.
There’s growing pressure to settle the case before the campaign concludes, lest an unpunished title win spark chaos.
Premier League rules state an appeal must wrap up within 12 weeks and a verdict follow within 30 days, but it’s unclear if that applies to City.
Procedures can be accelerated to meet deadlines such as the season’s finish.
For my money, the league should impose a decisive penalty now rather than stall. Nevertheless, chief executive Ferran Soriano warned the dispute could linger for a long time.
City cannot take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but it could challenge the process’s fairness in the High Court.
The league’s formal statement on Monday said it wants the verdicts “concluded as soon as possible.”
Etihad Airways, City’s main sponsor, said it is weighing legal action against the Premier League.
In a Wednesday release, the UAE carrier categorically denied any involvement in improper commercial deals.
It added that the league’s public release of the findings, after selective leaks, has unfairly damaged Etihad despite not being named.
Etihad, owned by sovereign wealth fund L’Imad and chaired by Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, said it received no chance to comment, a situation that reflects badly on the airline.
The statement said Etihad is deeply concerned about how the matter was aired publicly.
It warned that the lack of transparency and selective disclosure has harmed the airline’s reputation.
Etihad urged the Premier League to accept responsibility for the way the findings were presented.
The airline will seek legal counsel to explore options that protect its interests.
Etihad is owned by sovereign wealth fund L’Imad, chaired by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, son of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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