Keown says City appeal could end in about six weeks

Former England defender Martin Keown said he had heard Manchester City’s appeal over Premier League financial-rule charges could be resolved in about six weeks, and suggested the club might receive fines rather than a more severe punishment. His comments were a forecast based on unspecified rumours, not an official timetable or decision. City has appealed an independent commission ruling concerning alleged breaches of Premier League rules and continues to maintain its innocence. The case covers alleged financial conduct between 2009 and 2018. The supplied reports differ on the number of charges on which City was found guilty: most state 114 of 115, while one reports all 115. The club denies the allegations. Keown made his comments on talkSPORT on October 19. He said he was hearing that the case could be over in a number of weeks and that the outcome might not be as severe as expected. He suggested City could receive large fines, but did not identify the source of the information behind his forecast. No appeal outcome or sanction was announced in the reports. The possible consequences discussed include a fine, points deduction, transfer ban, expulsion from the Premier League...