- Man City were charged with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules last year
- Premier League CEO Richard Masters said a date had been set for City’s hearing
- Kevin De Bruyne is brilliant, but he’s not the best. Chris Sutton names his top five Premier League midfielders on It’s All Kicking Off
The Premier League‘s chief executive Richard Masters has revealed that a date has been set for Man City‘s financial rule break charges hearing.
The top-flight charged its champions with 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations in February 2023 after opening an investigation in 2018.
Mail Sport had reported in November how football’s trial of the century had been pencilled in for late autumn of 2024 when the club will face off in front of an independent panel in arguably the biggest hearing in the competition’s history.
And, when being quizzed by MPs on Tuesday morning over several issues relating to the top flight, one of the topics up for discussion with Masters was City’s charges.
Masters subsequently confirmed Mail Sport’s story that a date had been set, before adding ‘but I can’t say when that is’.
The Premier League’s chief executive Richard Masters has revealed that a date has been set for Man City’s 115 alleged financial rule break charges hearing
Masters was quizzed by MPs on Tuesday in relation to a variety of issues affecting football
Pep Guardiola’s side deny any wrongdoing and previously insisted that they have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back their case
He then insisted ‘the volume and character’ of the charges against City are different to those against Everton and Nottingham Forest, after those two clubs were hit with Premier League charges on Monday for breaking spending rules. They face the risk of a points deduction this season if found guilty.
City are accused of breaching 115 regulations over 14 seasons from 2009-10 onwards.
The charges include claims over financial reporting and a lack of co-operation with a Premier League investigation which was opened in 2018. City deny any wrongdoing.
Mail Sport also reported back in November how those with knowledge of the situation believe that a conclusion may not follow until the end of next season – which is when City boss Pep Guardiola’s current contract is due to expire.
It is understood that what has been a highly confidential process is currently at the stage where statements are being taken from witnesses – which is likely to remain the case until the spring.
Should the trial go ahead on time, a verdict would be likely around the summer of 2025.
Delays, however, may well push the proceedings back further. And should either party find the eventual outcome unpalatable it would be difficult to imagine a world in which they would not appeal. Such a scenario would add significant time.
Should they need to, City may well explore further avenues, although they would not be able to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where they successfully had their UEFA-delivered Champions League ban overturned.
Meanwhile, Guardiola stated last year that everyone outside the club wanted to see them punished over the allegations.
He said: ‘We are innocent until guilt is proved. I know the people want it (City punished). I know, I feel it. I will wait and see, and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain.’
He added that he would remain at the club, even if they were found guilty and relegated down the divisions.
The charges City are faced with include claims over financial reporting and a lack of co-operation with a Premier League investigation which was opened in 2018
Everton and Nottingham Forest were hit with Premier League charges on Monday for breaking spending rules, but Masters insisted ‘the volume and character’ of City’s charges are different
‘Absolutely, I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One,’ Guardiola added. ‘There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.’
City have previously insisted that they have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back their case.
Everton were charged with breaking financial rules in March, a month after City’s charges were announced, and in November were given a 10-point deduction, which they have appealed.
Their second charge which was announced on Monday night means the Toffees are at risk of a second points deduction.
