Manchester City have lodged their appeal against an independent commission's guilty verdict of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period, and the waiting game now begins again for the final outcome of the investigation.
But the judgment of the independent panel -- made up of judges and independent financial and legal experts -- which was published on Sept. 29, 21 months after the culmination of a 12-week hearing, marked the end of the beginning of an investigative process dating back to 2019.
The appeal process heralds the beginning of the end, and sources have told ESPN that a time frame is in place for City's fate -- guilty or innocent -- to be resolved by the end of this season.
The club, which continues to protest its innocence citing "irrefutable evidence," could yet take the case beyond sporting regulatory bodies to the High Court in the United Kingdom if the appeal fails and City can prove serious irregularities in the Premier League's disciplinary process.
- Man City found guilty: All features, analysis, reaction
But now that City's appeal has been set in motion, both the club and Premier League are approaching the end of a long and difficult road. So what happens next? When will this all be over and what are the sanctions that City could face?
The appeals process
Man City have begun the appeals against the Premier League's guilty verdict, but this saga is really just beginning. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images Man City had 14 days after being officially informed of the verdict from the independent commission to serve notice of their decision to appeal. The club did so on Oct 1. A new three-person independent panel, appointed by Sir Gary Hickinbottom (High Court judge and former UK Lord Justice of Appeal), will be formed as an Appeal Board to review the case.
In Premier League regulations, under Section W of the Premier League Handbook, Appeal Boards must have three members, one of whom should have held judicial office (a judge) and would sit as the chair of the Appeal Board.