Man City are on the verge of enjoying another trophy-laden season.
Pep Guardiola's side are just two wins away from securing two points in the Premier League and FA Cup, and if they were to beat West Ham at the weekend, it would mean City secure an unprecedented fourth English top-flight title.
It is a feat that has never been done in English football and deserves a lot of praise. It's not enough to say that the club has all the best players so what are you waiting for. The team still has to be held together and the manager has to be at his best to be able to continue to motivate his players.
However, all this time they have charges against them, but their success will continue to be tarnished.
Former professional, Stan Collymore has gone to town on the Premier League itself for allowing such a situation to continue.
Man City's charges needed immediate action
“Obviously (Premier League boss) Richard Masters will go to the Arsenal game this weekend to avoid handing the Premier League trophy to a club with 115 offences,” he said in his exclusive CaughtOffside column.
“The argument about the cases we've had from Manchester City Supporters' groups – which will no doubt be informed by the club – is that the cases are so serious and so serious on so many different fronts, that they can't be dealt with quickly. Okay, I can go with that. 115 costs, take more time…
“However, the truth is that no one expects a weekly warning from Richard Masters. I fail to see how the Premier League wouldn't take one of Manchester City's charges, perhaps the most serious and focused on that as a title holder, and get to the other 114 and when.
“I believe that the Premier League didn't make a mistake because they didn't face a single case and you can't tell me that it wouldn't have happened at the same time as Everton's punishment and in the forest.
“Then they would say to people that 'this situation in the club is tense.' Whether it would be three, six or 10 points, that would have clear implications for this season's title race.
“It will be an example to deal with clubs in the future because I am sure that other clubs will deal with FFP soon. Villa is not far away, and Newcastle may not be far either. “
Collymore certainly has a point. As if the powers that be in the Premier League are afraid.
When it comes to charges City may have more silverware in the trophy cabinet, but it will feel empty if most of the club's titles are won in the period in question, then stripped from them.
It could lead to a mass exodus of players to be tarred with the same brush.
“I don't know what the outcome will be because Manchester City's lawyers are the best in the business, and when you have the best in the business you tend to get tangible results,” added Collymore.
“Remember that Everton and Forest could have been relegated this season but they never did because they still had enough in the tank even though they were deprived of points. The point is that if they went down – this season – because their cases are handled. Manchester City cannot be the champions of England if they are found guilty, but they will be if the results go as expected because the Premier League did not pull out their fingers.
“Richard Masters looks older every time he watches TV and I think the Premier League is under a lot of pressure, it's going through a very difficult situation. I don't trust them at all and therein lies the problem.
“If things involving Roberto Mancini that are apparently paid in books are found to be, for example, that should be a demotion in itself. Every single player and manager is paid like any other job in the business. If it is proven that he was paid a £1m contract through PAYE and HMRC, but he was getting £8m sent to Abu Dhabi business… that should deserve punishment.
“I think that's what a lot of football fans see as wrong and that's where you get into all this kind of conspiracy theory. I know the clubs will try it, so the Premier League needs to fire a warning shot to all the clubs to tighten their muscles so that everyone knows they are doing a really bad business. “
If the situation is allowed to continue, it becomes even more embarrassing for the Premier League and its stakeholders.
Let's also remember that even if some cases were able to stick, Man City's lawyers will appeal the case, thus delaying the process even more.
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