City have denied any wrongdoing (Picture: Getty)
Manchester City and the Premier League have finally agreed to a date for the hearing over the champions’ 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations.
The reigning champions were hit with the charges in February this year as the result of a Premier League investigation opened in 2018.
The saga looks set to drag on however with the Daily Mail reporting the date for City to face an independent panel has now been scheduled to start in late autumn in 2024.
A verdict is not expected to follow until the end of next season in the summer of 2025 – when manager Pep Guardiola’s current contract is set to expire.
Delays could see that date pushed back further, however. The likely possibility of an appeal being lodged by either party once proceedings end could also add significant time.
The report adds the process is currently at the stage of taking statements from witnesses which is expected to be ongoing until the spring of next year.
City are accused of breaching 115 regulations over 14 seasons from 2009-10 onwards.
Guardiola’s current contract will expire at in July 2025 (Picture: Getty)
The Premier League investigation alleges that the club did not give a fair reflection of its revenue, sponsorship deals and operating costs.
Other charges include failing to cooperate with sustainability rules and UEFA’s own financial fair play rules.
The reigning champions have denied any wrongdoing.
A statement from the club released in February said: ‘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,’ a statement read.
‘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.’
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Everton were charged by the Premier League in March for breaching FFP regulations after recording financial losses of £371.8 million over a three-year period when the competition’s limit is £105m.
The Toffees were handed a 10-point deduction by the Premier League, which saw them drop from 14th to 19th in the table.
Chelsea are also under investigation by the Premier League for potential financial rule breaches during Roman Abramovich’s reign.
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But there could be a long wait before we learn the final verdict…