Sports ‘trial of the century’ to finally get underway.
Manchester City were referred to an independent commission over the alleged breaches, which go back to the 2009-10 campaign, in February 2023.
The club are alleged to have breached rules relating to the provision of accurate financial information.
City are also charged with failing to comply with Premier League rules requiring clubs to follow UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations from the 2013-14 to 2017-18 seasons and failing to follow Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) from the 2015-16 to 2017-18 seasons.
The club, who won an unprecedented fourth successive top-flight title in May, said at the time of the referral to the commission that they were surprised by the league’s “issuing of these alleged breaches”.
“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,” City added.
Sources told ESPN the hearing is set to begin on Sept. 16 and is expected to last about two months with a final verdict, including any appeal, to be reached by the end of the season.
City could face penalties such as a points deduction or relegation if found guilty.
Everton and Nottingham Forest had points deducted last season for breaching PSR regulations.
Manchester City were not immediately available to comment, although they have strongly denied the charges all along, while the Premier League declined to comment.
The trial has been labelled sports ‘trial of the century’ in some quarters and is likely to have major implications for the parties concerned as as it sees one of the world’s most successful clubs accused of cheating by the Premier League which it has dominated for years.
Manchester City has a network of 13 teams across five continents, and is owned by a billionaire member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, whose sovereign wealth fund which has transformed the sporting landcape in recent years.
