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Agence France-Presse

Manchester City’s long-awaited hearing into alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations is set to begin on Monday.
The champions are facing 115 charges of breaking the competition’s rules dating back to the 2009-10 season.
An independent panel is expected to hear evidence for at least two months, with a verdict unlikely until well into 2025 for what has been dubbed British sport’s “trial of the century”.
Since a 2008 takeover from Sheikh Mansour, a member of the United Arab Emirates royal family, City have been transformed from also-rans into the Premier League’s dominant force.
Eight of the club’s 10 league titles have come in the past 13 seasons, plus a first and only Champions League in 2023.
However, they stand accused of bending financial rules to their will while on the rise.

Of the 115 charges, 80 are for breaches of the regulations between 2009 and 2018, while a further 35 relate to failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The root of suspicion comes from leaked documents published by German outlet Der Spiegel back in 2018.
Emails purportedly sent between top City executives showed the club had inflated sponsorship revenue from Abu Dhabi state-controlled airline Etihad and telecoms firm Etisalat by disguising direct investment from Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group as income.
Other documents claimed to show off-the-books payments to then manager Roberto Mancini via consultancy fees from a club in Abu Dhabi.
City responded to the allegations by denying any wrongdoing and added that there was a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to prove so.
And they have already defended their position in one case after overturning a two-year ban from the Champions League by Uefa at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020.
CAS found most of alleged breaches of overstating sponsorship revenue were either not established or “time-barred” because they fell outside the five-year statutory limit for prosecution. But no such time limitation clause exists in the Premier League case.
If found guilty on some or all of the charges, City face a severe points deduction and possibly even expulsion from the Premier League.
Everton and Nottingham Forest were both hit by points deductions last season for single breaches of profit and sustainability rules.
A guilty verdict could also bring to an end Pep Guardiola’s glorious reign at the Etihad.

The City manager, who is into the final year of his contract, has steadfastly backed his superiors but previously said he would walk if they had not been honest with him.
“If you lie to me, the day after I am not here,” said Guardiola in 2022.
Severe sanctions would also raise doubts over the future of City’s cast of star players, including prolific striker Erling Haaland.
And other clubs could make a claim for titles to be stripped and compensation if City gained an unfair advantage by nefarious means.
Yet, there is also plenty at play for the Premier League no matter the outcome.
If City lose their case, an entire era – at a time when the English top-flight enjoys global prominence over its European rivals – becomes mired in scandal.
On the other hand, should City prove their innocence, the Premier League stand accused of being a soft touch and outmanoeuvred by the deep pockets of state-backed clubs.


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English Premier League

Manchester City hearing over 115 charges for financial breaches in Premier League begins

Manchester City stand accused of bending financial rules to their will while on the rise to their current status as the dominant force in English football. Photo: EPA-EFE

Roberto Mancini managed Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2012. Photo: Getty Images

If City are found guilty, they could lose striker Erling Haaland and manager Pep Guardiola. Photo: Reuters

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Sport

Football

An independent panel will hear evidence for at least two months against the champions, with a verdict unlikely until 2025


An independent panel will hear evidence for at least two months against the champions, with a verdict unlikely until 2025.


United Arab Emirates (UAE)