Martin Keown shares surprising news about what he’s heard regarding Man City’s 115 charges verdict.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown recently shared some rumors he’s heard about Manchester City’s appeal against the guilty verdict for breaking Premier League financial rules.
City was found guilty of nearly all 115 charges against them, covering almost ten years of rule-breaking and not cooperating properly with the Premier League’s investigation. The club insists they are innocent and has appealed the decision made by an Independent Commission, saying there is ‘irrefutable evidence’ to clear their name.
The appeal is set to happen during this season, with a decision expected before the season ends. If the appeal fails, City could face penalties this season.
On the field, things are going great for Enzo Maresca’s team. They’re top of the Premier League table, having won all seven of their opening games in the 2026-27 season. Since the guilty verdict came out, City and their fans have stayed strong and defiant.
There’s still uncertainty about what will happen with the appeal and possible punishments. Some rumors suggest City might lose points, face heavy fines, have past titles taken away, or even be kicked out of the Premier League. Until this is settled, questions remain about City’s future and which league they’ll play in next season.
Keown, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal, thinks the case might be resolved in about six weeks and believes City may avoid harsh penalties like relegation or point deductions. Speaking on talkSPORT with Jim White and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, Keown said he’s heard City could end up just paying big fines.
He said, “City fans are confident because they believe they’re in the right, and their owners are telling them the same, that strong evidence will come out. I’m hearing rumors this will be over in a few weeks. In around six weeks, we’ll know what’s happening, and it might not be as bad as expected. Maybe they just pay huge fines and we get back to football as usual.”
City officially launched their appeal in early October, and the final decision is expected before the season finishes.
Simon Jordan wondered how a deal with fines might actually work, saying a financial penalty might only happen if City admits some guilt. That would be a change since City has always said they’re innocent. Jordan explained, “That only happens if they agree to a deal. The appeal process normally takes 12 weeks. If City approaches the Premier League before the appeal and says, ‘We’ll accept a deal and avoid the appeal,’ then City would have to admit some guilt. But then everyone might say, ‘You just paid up and made a deal.’”
So, the situation is still unfolding, and fans will have to wait to see what happens next.