Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick says the Premier League and its clubs need clarity and a speedy resolution to the long-running financial case involving Manchester City.
City are facing more than 100 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, but an independent commission is yet to publish its ruling more than three years after the charges were first brought.
City have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Speaking ahead of the new Premier League season, Garlick acknowledged the frustration surrounding the delay and said clubs across the league want to know how the case will be resolved.
“It has gone on for a while,” Garlick told BBC Sport.
“Everybody – the league and the teams – would want the clarity around what’s going to happen next.
“But it’s not something that I can control. It’s not something that I can speculate on. And I just hope that there is a solution very quickly.”
The comments come after Premier League chief executive Richard Masters admitted the case was taking longer than expected, describing it as “hugely complex”.
Masters said the league must allow the independent process to reach its conclusion rather than interfere with the commission’s timetable.
The case dates back to charges announced against City in February 2023 and covers alleged financial breaches stretching across several seasons.
The allegations include claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information concerning player and manager payments between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
The club are also accused of breaching UEFA financial fair play rules between 2013-14 and 2017-18, as well as Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
City face further allegations of failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation between 2018 and 2023.
The delay has also caused frustration among other Premier League clubs, with some officials privately calling for improvements to the system to ensure financial cases are resolved more quickly.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly served legal notices on City in 2024, reserving the right to seek compensation if the club are eventually found guilty.
The issue remains particularly significant for Arsenal, who finished as Premier League runners-up to City in 2023 and 2024.
With the new season approaching, Garlick’s comments have once again put the spotlight on the unresolved case and the growing calls across the Premier League for a final decision.
