Manchester City launch legal challenges against their 115 Premier League charges, including an objection to the barrister leading the panel being an Arsenal supporter – but the lawyer leading the champions’ defence is ‘an avid Gunners fan’ too!
- Murray Rosen KC is the head of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel
- Man City are believed to have raised the issue of Rosen’s support for Arsenal
- However, City’s lawyer, Lord Pannick KC, was described as ‘an avid Arsenal fan’
Manchester City have launched numerous legal challenges against the Premier League’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules including raising an extraordinary objection to the involvement of the barrister running the process — he is an Arsenal fan.
Murray Rosen KC, head of the Premier League’s independent judicial panel, will appoint the chair of the independent disciplinary commission who will hear City’s case.
In a series of challenges to the Premier League’s legal process City are believed to have raised the issue of Rosen’s support for Arsenal.
The club have also questioned whether recent changes to Premier League rules should apply to the investigation into alleged breaches which occurred at an earlier date.
City’s objection to Rosen is even more remarkable given that the lawyer leading their defence, Lord Pannick KC, was described as ‘an avid Arsenal fan’ in The Times’ Law 100.
Manchester City have launched numerous legal challenges against the Premier League’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules
City’s objection to Murray Rosen KC (left) is even more remarkable given that the lawyer leading their defence, Lord Pannick KC (right), was described as ‘an avid Arsenal fan’
Murray Rosen’s online biography states he is a member at Arsenal and also of the MCC
City have robustly protested their innocence, with the extent of their legal challenges likely to lead to further delays in resolving a case which experts predict could last for two to four years.
In a statement, Manchester City said it was surprised by the alleged breaches.
It read: ‘Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
‘As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.’
