As the 2025/26 Premier League season looms, the unresolved saga of Manchester City’s 130 Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges continues to cast a shadow over English football, prompting Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy to break his silence in a rare interview. Speaking on The Overlap with former Manchester United captain Gary Neville on August 4, 2025, Levy called for a swift resolution to the prolonged legal battle, emphasizing the need for closure “for the good of the game.” The exchange, marked by Neville’s scathing critique of the Premier League’s handling of the case, has reignited debates about financial governance and competitive fairness, with implications for clubs like Everton, who face their own FFP constraints.
The Premier League charged Manchester City with 115 breaches in February 2023, a figure later increased to 130, alleging violations between 2009 and 2018. These charges center on inaccurate financial reporting, including sponsorship revenues and staff payments, with accusations of secret contracts inflating City’s spending power. City, owned by the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, have denied wrongdoing, claiming “irrefutable evidence” to clear their name. The hearing, which began in September 2024 and spanned two months, was expected to conclude by early 2025, but delays now point to a verdict no sooner than October, frustrating rivals and fans alike. “It’s going through a process which I think has gone on for far too long,” Levy stated, carefully avoiding direct criticism of City. “It needs to be brought, for the good of the game, to a conclusion one way or another.” His measured tone reflects a delicate balance, acknowledging the issue’s gravity without targeting a fellow Premier League club.
Neville, known for his forthright commentary, was less restrained, branding the Premier League’s delay “shameful” and questioning their competence. “Why’s it gone on so long? It’s ridiculous, it’s shameful we can’t get our house in order quicker,” he fumed, highlighting errors in the charges, such as incorrect dates, which he called “really sloppy” after a four-year investigation. Neville’s frustration echoes his earlier remarks in May 2025, when he labeled the saga a “disgrace” and an “absolute stain to the game.” He argued that a not-guilty verdict would expose the Premier League’s incompetence, while a guilty ruling could tarnish City’s decade of dominance, potentially leading to severe penalties like a 40-50 point deduction, as suggested by football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
Levy, while diplomatic, expressed broader concerns about financial governance, particularly the risks of multi-club ownership models like City’s, which includes clubs like Girona and New York City FC. “That’s one of the areas that has to be controlled,” he said, warning that related-party sponsorships could allow state-owned clubs to “do deals with themselves,” creating an unfair competitive edge. He also voiced skepticism about the incoming Independent Football Regulator, set to oversee England’s top five tiers, arguing that the Football Association (FA) should have taken a stronger lead. “I think it was the FA that should have brought us all together,” Levy remarked, lamenting the reliance on costly legal battles. “It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been able to resolve things internally rather than the recourse of the lawyers because the lawyers are going to earn a lot of money out of this.”
The context of Everton’s reported interest in Manchester City’s Jack Grealish adds a layer of irony to Levy’s comments. The Toffees’ pursuit of a loan deal for the £100 million winger has faltered due to PSR concerns, with their past breaches resulting in a 10-point deduction in 2023. Tottenham, under Levy’s stewardship, have also navigated FFP carefully, spending £700 million net on transfers since their stadium opened, yet facing fan criticism for a lack of silverware despite a 2024 Europa League triumph. Neville, who previously accused Levy of running Tottenham “oppressively” in February 2025, praised his financial acumen but urged faster resolution of such cases to restore trust in the game.
As the Premier League season kicks off on August 16, with Tottenham facing Burnley, the City verdict looms large. Players like Erling Haaland remain confident, with the striker stating, “I believe them,” after signing a long-term contract. For Levy and Neville, the saga’s resolution is critical not just for City but for the integrity of English football’s competitive landscape.
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