Hearings into Manchester City's alleged breaching of financial rules set to get underway
The Premier League title holders could face a huge points deduction, or even relegation, if they are found guilty of the 115 charges
Last updated 16th Sep 2024
The hearings into Manchester City's alleged breaching of the Premier League's financial rules is set to begin later.
The champions are facing 115 charges, which date back to the 2009-10 season, and which the club deny.
It's thought the club could face a range of punishments if found guilty, including a huge points deduction, or even expulsion from the League.
The club are also accused of failing to co-operate with an investigation.
The case will be heard by an independent commission at an undisclosed location and could take 10 weeks to complete, with a verdict not announced until 2025.
City were charged by the league in February 2023 after a long investigation into allegations published by German magazine Der Spiegel in autumn 2018.
The club deny any wrongdoing and have previously said they have a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their stance.
City's financial affairs have come under regular scrutiny since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.
In 2020 they were banned from European competition after being found guilty of breaking UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, but successfully challenged that ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.