Premier League clubs 'frustrated' by Manchester City secrecy as hearing begins

Manchester City's Premier League rivals are said to be growing frustrated by the secrecy surrounding the reigning champions' trial over 115 alleged rule breaches, which began on Monday.

The hearing is confidential and takes place behind closed doors before an anonymous three-person committee, in line with league rules, but The Telegraph says other clubs are complaining about the lack of information being published.

City denies all accusations before an independent commission, which is expected to last around 10 weeks, with a possible outcome before the end of the season.

But the only details shared with the public are a basic list of the rules and seasons of each alleged violation, with the location of the hearing – now revealed to be in London – also previously remaining hidden.

Fans are not the only ones who do not know what is happening in this case, as other Premier League clubs are not being given access to new information. Decisions made during the hearing could be released if deemed appropriate, but it is not expected that they will be made until the final conclusion.

“We know the bill at the end – but not much else,” said one club insider, referring to the legal fees accrued by both parties, although City's can be deducted from commercial funds and television money.

There is no guarantee that a transcript of the proceedings will be published.

A lawyer who once represented an English Premier League club said: “Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.”

“There is no reason in principle why this should not take place in public. This would ensure that the case is covered accurately by the media and that the real details of each case – what exactly has been alleged and how it is defended – are picked up and known to fans.

“It acts in itself as a means of control over clubs and owners – who are generally very image-conscious – to comply with the rules, but it is also a protection to help ensure a fair trial.”

A 2021 High Court ruling on the Premier League's jurisdiction to deal with City's case had previously called it a “matter of legitimate public interest” and expressed surprise at the lack of progress in an investigation that began in 2018.

Nick De Marco, the lawyer who argued on behalf of Leicester that their alleged rule breach was outside the Premier League's jurisdiction and won, was among those calling for “more transparency, fairness and therefore publicity”.

“I recently spoke to other sports lawyers about when we might finally know the decisions in the disputes between Manchester City and the Premier League. [or even who sits on the tribunals]”, and the impact of public legal challenges to decisions by the independent football regulator, if and when that happens, I sense a growing consensus… that we should, and will, move further towards public hearings in sport in the coming years,” he added.