Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick says clubs across the Premier League want a clear, swift conclusion to the case against Manchester City, which involves more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules.
An independent commission has yet to issue a verdict—over 18 months since the disciplinary hearing ended and three and a half years after City were first charged. City deny any wrongdoing.
Asked whether the drawn-out process frustrates Arsenal, Garlick said it has taken a long time and that both the league and its clubs want clarity on what comes next. He added that the matter is out of his control, he won’t speculate, and he hopes for a quick resolution.
His remarks come on the eve of the new season, following Premier League chief executive Richard Masters’ acknowledgment that the case is taking longer than anticipated. Masters called it highly complex and said the league must follow due process to its conclusion.
Garlick previously served as the Premier League’s Director of Football from 2018 to 2021. Privately, officials at several other clubs share the frustration while accepting the process is independent and follows its own timetable. One suggested the league should establish a better system to deliver faster outcomes. Another highlighted rising costs, noting the league spent £45m on legal fees in 2023–24 related to financial regulation disputes.