The Premier League’s long-awaited hearing into Manchester City’s alleged breaches of financial rules will begin later.
City, the reigning Premier League champions, face 115 charges under Premier League rules, which they allegedly breached by failing to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period starting in 2009 until 2018.
During that period the club won the Premier League three times.
The charges relate to financial information regarding revenue, details of manager and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability, and cooperation with Premier League investigations.
The club has denied all the charges, which it will face at an independent hearing at an undisclosed location.
Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. Pic: PA
The trial could last up to two months and a verdict is expected in early 2025.
City could face a deduction in points if found guilty – or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League.
Last season Everton were docked points twice and Nottingham Forest were also docked for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
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What have City been accused of?
City are alleged to have breached rules requiring the provision of accurate financial information.
Among a second set of charges is that they did not fully disclose the financial remunerations made to one of their managers related to seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13 inclusive.
The club’s manager between December 2009 and May 2013 was Roberto Mancini.
The third section deals with alleged breaches of Premier League rules requiring clubs to comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, between 2013-14 and 2017-18.
The fourth set of alleged breaches relates to the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules in seasons 2015-16 to 2017-18 inclusive.
Finally, the club are also alleged to have breached league rules requiring member clubs to cooperate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations, from December 2018 to February 2023.