Man City supporters will love Roy Keane verdict on 115 charges case against Premier League

Roy Keane has echoed the thoughts of many Manchester City supporters regarding their club's hearing with the Premier League over allegations of financial wrongdoing, branding everything besides the verdict as "a sideshow".

The Blues have always denied all of the charges, which tally at over 100, and were first levelled in February 2023. City chiefs have vowed to clear their name given the "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" they possess.

The hearing, being held in London, started in September and remains ongoing, with its duration anticipated to last around 10 weeks. A verdict is not expected until early 2025, at the earliest, due to a forecasted lengthy deliberation period from the panel.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola gamble has paid off for Man City - despite Liverpool surge

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola gives fresh Man City future update with contract admission

Either party can appeal the outcome, whenever it does arrive, which would extend the ultimate end date of that commission. But the hope is the case will be resolved by the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola said last month that he believes other Premier League clubs would like to see City be punished with potential penalties thought to be unlimited. It means, if the club are found guilty of severe breaches, relegation and points deductions might all be on the table.

Like Guardiola, many City supporters feel aggrieved by the notion that a number of supporters from other clubs and some analysts appear to be inferring guilt before judgement has been passed. The Blues faithful have always insisted that the ultimate verdict should speak for itself.

Former Manchester United captain Keane has now reiterated that himself. Appearing on the latest episode of the ever-popular Stick To Football podcast, the panel were discussing the outcome of the Associated Party Transaction [APT] case involving City that emerged last week - which of course is a separate thing entirely.

During the discussion, Keane made reference to the current financial charges hearing in London, which is separate to the APT case. "Why don't we wait until the verdict comes out?" he said.

"We've been asking for it to come to a head, there will always be a bit of a sideshow... City's argument is, obviously, they've done nothing wrong.

"City have always said they've done nothing illegal. So we'll find out in the next few months."

Should City indeed be found innocent, there might be some scope for the club to consider legal action against the Premier League over damage of reputation, given charges would have been brought forward without the sufficient evidence to back them up, but that is for later down the line.