The hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against Manchester City has concluded.
Mail Sport can reveal that closing arguments in a case with huge ramifications for English football were completed on Friday – with a three-man panel now considering evidence before delivering a verdict in the coming months.
Proceedings began on September 16 at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre and have been shrouded in secrecy. However, following a brief pause, both sides delivered their final shots last week in what has been a high-stakes battle.
The Premier League have accused its champions of multiple breaches of financial rules and of failing to co-operate with a subsequent investigation.
Should City, who strongly refute any wrongdoing, be found guilty of some of the more serious charges, they could be hit with huge financial penalties, points deductions or even relegation.
However, as Mail Sport previously reported, it is highly likely that – should an agreement not be reached – each side would launch an appeal against the forthcoming verdict. And, should that be the case, a final decision may not be delivered until the end of next season, with a state of damaging limbo continuing.
City’s alleged rule breaking is claimed to have taken place over a 14-year period. The original 115 charges have been extended to a total of 130 after an administration issue.
The hearing into the Premier League ’s 115 charges against Manchester City has concluded
The Premier League have charged the perennial champions with 115 financial breaches
The league, led by CEO Richard Masters, has been investigating City for more than five years
The four-in-a-row champions are accused of failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as failing to provide full details of former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13.
They are also alleged to have failed to provide full details of monies paid to players between 2010-11 and 2015-16 and failing to co-operate with the probe from 2018 to 2023.
That investigation, prompted by hacked material published in German media, has triggered astronomical legal costs for the league, which have raised concerns at a number of its clubs. News that the hearing is finally over will come as a relief to many.
The competition’s senior barrister is Adam Lewis KC while Lord Pannick is leading City’s defence. Both are from Blackstone Chambers.
The Premier League and Manchester City have been contacted for comment.