If you were getting the impression that the saga over Manchester City's 115 charges was almost over, think again.

Two years and 10 days since the hearing began, and 1,329 days after City were charged, we now know a verdict has been reached, with the club guilty of the majority of financial rule breaches.

That is not because the Premier League or Manchester City have told us - it is thanks to the Athletic finding out and breaking the story.

BBC Sport was later told the verdict was sent during the week to club executives, who had to sign a non-disclosure agreement to open the file.

A process can appear to be completely watertight, as this one certainly had been, but when the circle of trust is expanded, the chance of information getting out increases.

Despite this, public silence from the Premier League continues.

City did not address whether they had been found guilty in a statement making it clear - with an appeal expected - that the "process remains ongoing" from their point of view.

It all points to the suggestion that the long-awaited decision of the independent panel was not a case of this process nearing an end, but perhaps instead reaching the end of the beginning.