Mourinho jokes City verdict may arrive when he is 80

Jose Mourinho has made light of the prolonged legal dispute involving Manchester City and the Premier League, suggesting he could be 80 by the time the case is finally settled. An independent Commission found City guilty of all charges concerning serious financial-rule breaches across nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018.

Manchester City has appealed the verdict and continues to deny wrongdoing, saying it holds comprehensive evidence supporting its position. Premier League rules indicate that an appeal should normally finish within 12 weeks of its hearing, with the decision delivered within 30 days, although extensions are possible when considered necessary.

Mourinho, now Real Madrid’s manager, said he expects the process to continue through the verdict, appeals and further appeals. He recalled previously arguing that clubs breaching financial regulations should lose points, and claimed Manchester United should have been awarded the 2017-18 Premier League title instead of merely finishing second.

The Portuguese coach raised the possibility of receiving a winners’ medal when discussing the 115 charges before a Fenerbahce match against former club Manchester United in October 2024. Premier League rule W.51.7 allows the Commission to impose any combination of listed penalties or another sanction it considers appropriate, leaving open the possibility that titles could be removed.

ColdMath take

The appeal means the final sporting consequences remain unresolved. If sanctions affect past seasons, Manchester United could revisit its claim to the 2017-18 title, while Mourinho’s comments underline how distant any outcome may be.

For now, City’s appeal continues and no change to past Premier League standings has been confirmed.