Softfootball can confirm Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has launched a fresh criticism of the Premier League’s handling of the club’s long-running financial case, claiming City’s remarkable £440million spending during the recent summer transfer window makes a “mockery” of regulation in England’s top flight.
The 83-year-old Bernstein, who served as Manchester City chairman and later held the position of FA Chair between 2011 and 2013, has questioned how the Premier League continues to operate while the club remains without a verdict on the 115 charges brought against them.
Manchester City were charged with 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations in February 2023 following a lengthy investigation into the club’s financial affairs. An independent hearing into the case eventually concluded in December 2024 after a 12-week process.
However, despite the conclusion of the hearing, the independent commission has yet to publish its ruling, leaving City, the Premier League and football supporters waiting for an outcome to one of the most significant disciplinary cases in English football history.
The delay has generated increasing frustration, particularly as Manchester City have continued to operate normally in the transfer market while the case remains unresolved. The club have consistently denied the allegations against them.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has previously acknowledged that the verdict has taken longer than originally anticipated, but no definitive date for the commission’s decision has been announced.
The latest transfer window has only intensified the debate surrounding the case.
Manchester City spent approximately £440million during the summer, making several major additions to Enzo Maresca’s squad. The spending included the £125million signing of Enzo Fernandez, a fee that equalled the British-record transfer fee, while Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116million and Ayyoub Bouaddi was signed for £86million.
Bernstein believes the scale of City’s spending, given the backdrop of the unresolved charges, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Premier League regulation.
Writing in the Sunday Times, the former City chairman said: “The fact they have done this (transfer spend) against the background of the 115 Premier League charges is extraordinary and makes a mockery of regulation in England’s top division, supposedly the best-run league in the world.”
Bernstein’s comments make him the latest high-profile figure to publicly criticise the length of time being taken to resolve the case.
For Manchester City, the uncertainty surrounding the charges continues to hang over the club despite their ability to conduct major transfer business and strengthen their squad. The eventual verdict could have significant consequences, depending on the commission’s findings and any potential sanctions.
Until the independent commission delivers its ruling, however, the 115-charge case remains unresolved, with the Premier League under increasing pressure to bring an end to the lengthy process.
