HomeExclusives Thu 4 July 2024 17:00, UK

Everton's former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Man City could see their fight with the Premier League over 115 alleged charges drag on until 2026.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old - who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - insisted a long-term battle would "affect the Premier League brand considerably".

Man City were hit with 115 charges by the English top-flight in February 2023 and their case is set to be heard in November of this year.

The bulk of the charges stem from an alleged failure to provide accurate financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18.

City have also started a legal challenge against the Premier League over their Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, presenting their case in a two-week hearing last month.

Man City fight will 'affect Premier League brand' with resolution not expected until 2026 Wyness claimed the English champions' fight could drag on for "another two seasons".

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He told Football Insider's Insider Track podcast: "There are two cases - the Man City legal challenge, and the 115 charges.

"With appeals, this could drag on for another two seasons.

"This is a very tricky situation to solve, and there has to be some way that this can be got through.

"People just don't want it to drag on, they don't need that. It affects the Premier League brand considerably.

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got to think about his points about the top six having more say. Here is one of the top six potentially damaging the whole Premier League more than anything else.

"Right now, these clubs are completely absent from any leadership position."

In other news, City will accept PS20million striker offer as Southampton swoop.