The latest update provides a clearer timeline for one of English football’s most closely watched disciplinary cases, which concerns alleged financial-rule breaches spanning nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18.
City lodged its comprehensive appeal on 1 October 2026, challenging the findings of an independent Premier League commission. The club maintains that it is innocent of the accusations and says the original decision contains material errors of law, principle and fact.
Independent commission to hear the appeal
Speaking to Times Radio on Wednesday, Kogan explained that the appeal process follows a prescribed timetable of 12 weeks. He said this had led to expectations that the hearing would take place around the middle or end of January.
Kogan stressed that the matter would be handled by an independent commission comprising three retired judges or lawyers, rather than by the IFR itself.
He also cautioned against reaching conclusions before the appeal process has been completed, making clear that the regulator would not prejudge the outcome.
What are Manchester City accused of?
The Premier League investigation concerns alleged breaches of financial regulations over the period between 2009 and 2018.
According to the league’s published findings, the independent commission concluded that City had breached rules relating to financial reporting, commercial revenue, expenditure and co-operation with the league’s investigation.
The commission found that the club had misrepresented aspects of its financial arrangements and breached applicable spending limits. Manchester City disputes the findings and is seeking to overturn the verdict through its appeal.
The case has attracted considerable attention because of the potential sporting and financial consequences for the club.
Possible sanctions remain undecided
No final sanction has yet been announced. Potential consequences under Premier League rules can include a financial penalty, a points deduction or other sporting sanctions, depending on the decisions reached through the relevant disciplinary process.
However, it would be premature to assume that Manchester City will receive any particular punishment while the appeal remains unresolved.
The immediate focus is on the appeal hearing and whether the club can successfully challenge the original commission’s findings. Any subsequent decisions on sanctions would depend on the outcome and the applicable disciplinary procedures.
Regulator warns against political interference
Kogan’s comments come amid wider discussion about the independence of football regulation and the potential implications of the case.
He previously said he would resign if political interference affected the regulator’s decisions. He has also stated that the organisation had not experienced political pressure since its establishment.
The regulator has separate responsibilities concerning club ownership, directors and operating licences. Kogan indicated that the findings in City’s case would be relevant to those considerations once the appeal process had concluded.
January hearing could mark a key stage in the case
The anticipated January hearing is an important milestone, but it does not necessarily mean that every aspect of the dispute or any potential sanctions will be settled immediately.
For Manchester City, the priority remains overturning the verdict it contests. For the Premier League and its clubs, the proceedings are significant because of their implications for financial-rule enforcement and the governance of English football.
Until the appeal is determined and any further disciplinary decisions are made, the club’s ultimate position in the case remains unresolved.