Premier League chief executive Richard Masters announced on Friday that the case against Manchester City for suspected financial breaches will be addressed in the “near future”.
City are aiming for a fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, which would be their second victory in the competition since being charged with 115 financial violations in February 2023.
The claims concern City’s activities throughout nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018, when the Premier League launched an investigation into the club.
When asked on Friday if another City victory while the allegations are still pending would harm European football’s credibility, Masters said: “It is not for the football authorities to start being choosy about who they want to win the league.
“The key point is that you’ve got that jeopardy until the final day. Who knows where we will be on May 19?”
Masters, speaking at the European Leagues general assembly, added: “Obviously we can’t comment on the case, the date has been set and the case will resolve itself at some point in the near future, and I cannot make any further comment on it.”
An independent commission is set to hear the case later this year, but not before the current campaign ends.
Second-placed City are one point behind leaders Arsenal but have a game in hand and will clinch the title if they win their last five matches.
City said at the time the charges were made that they welcomed a review by an independent commission “to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of our position”.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all,” the club added.
The wait for a verdict on City comes in a season in which Everton and Nottingham Forest were hit with points deductions for breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
Everton’s initial 10-point penalty was reduced to six on appeal, but they were then given another two-point punishment for similar offences, which they are also appealing.
Relegation-threatened Forest have appealed after being handed a four-point deduction for their own PSR breaches.