Manchester City were charged in February with more than 100 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
The club deny the charges, which followed a four-year investigation by the Premier League, and insist they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.
City’s case has been referred to an independent commission, who can impose punishments ranging from a fine and points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.
Here, Standard Sport breaks down the charges and when the investigation might conclude.
What are the charges?
City were charged in February with more than 100 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
The majority of the alleged charges relate to the period covering 2009 to 2018. The Premier League also alleged City have not fully co-operated with the investigation, which started in December 2018, and 30 of the charges relate to that.
In their statement, the Premier League said City breached rules requiring them to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.
City are also alleged to have not disclosed full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with their manager from the 2009-10 to 2012-13 seasons, when Roberto Mancini was in charge, and player remuneration between 2010-11 and 2015-16.
From the 2013-14 season to 2017-18, the Premier League allege City did not comply with UEFA’s regulations, including UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations. They also allege that for the seasons 2015-16 to 2017-18, City did not comply with the Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability.
What is Manchester City’s response?
City deny all the charges and said in a statement in February: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
“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.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
City manager Pep Guardiola said: “We are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I am fully convinced we will be [proven] innocent.”
What is the latest?
Now the Premier League have charged City, their case will be heard by an independent commission. The members of the commission will be appointed by the independent Chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel.
The proceedings before the commission will, in accordance with Premier League rules, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League rules, the commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website.
Will it happen quickly?
There is no indication of how long this will take and the final decision will only be found out when it’s published on the Premier League’s website.
But the chances of anything happening this season are slim. This could be going on for a long time yet.
What are the possible punishments?
There are a range of punishments that City could be hit with, including a points deduction or suspension from playing League matches.
A recommendation to replay League matches could be made or City could even be expelled from the Premier League.
Other possible punishments include: ordering compensation, cancel or refusing registration of players and ordering the club to play costs.
