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The long-awaited hearing into Manchester City’s alleged 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules is to begin on Monday, according to Sky Sports and ESPN.
The champions were referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year investigation. The Premier League said the alleged breaches took place over a nine-season period, from 2009 to 2018, and relate to providing accurate financial information.
City are also charged with failing to comply with the Premier League’s rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) and Uefa’s financial fair play regulations, and are alleged to have not cooperated with the Premier League over its investigation. The club won the Premier League three times between 2009 and 2018.
City, who deny all charges, announced their “surprise” when they were referred to the independent commission last February. The club won an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row last season, and did not comment on the reports that the hearing would start on Monday when contacted by The Independent.
Since City were referred to the commission, both Everton and Nottingham Forest have faced points deductions for breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules.
The independent commission will be formed of three members and the hearing into the charges is expected to take several months.
The nature of City’s case, as well as the sheer number of charges, means a decision may not be reached until much later in the season. City would also have the right to appeal the decision if they are found guilty of some or all of the charges.
Premier League rules state that if the club is found guilty punishment could range from a points deduction to a possible exclusion from the top flight.
After being referred, Manchester City said 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”, while manager Pep Guardiola said he wanted the hearing to be over “soon” when speaking before the start of the new season.
“I am happy it starts soon and hopefully it finishes soon for the benefit of all of us,” Guardiola said last month. “Especially for the club but for all the other Premier League clubs, like for all the people that don’t wait the sentence. I wish from deep in my heart to go to the trial, the independent panel – and I say it again, independent panel – and as soon as possible release what happened, and we will accept like always we have done.”
Source: independent.co.uk
