Man City 'hearing timeline' emerges as Prem champions set to learn fate after 115 charges

Manchester City won’t have to wait much longer to learn their fate after 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules, with the hearing reportedly set to commence next month. It is scheduled to start earlier than planned due to City’s separate legal case against the Premier League’s associated party transactions (APT) rules.

According to The Times, the outcome of that case against the APT rules is expected to emerge in the next two weeks.

And there is said to be a belief that City have achieved some successes ahead of the significant independent commission, which will take at least a few months to complete.

The Premier League champions could face expulsion if the most serious charges against them are proven during the hearing.

It’s claimed that the outcome will be known early in 2025 unless further legal delays prevent a planned start date in mid-to-late September.

The report adds that the process is set to last 10 weeks before the commission members announce their highly-anticipated verdict.

City have consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming they possess “irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence.

Lord Pannick KC has been appointed to spearhead the club’s defence against the 115 charges, which have overshadowed their recent continued dominance under Pep Guardiola.

Among the 115 charges, City allegedly failed to provide accurate financial information and details for player and manager payments over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.

The Citizens have been accused of breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules seven times from 2015 to 2018.

They allegedly also failed to comply with UEFA’s rules, including Financial Fair Play, on five occasions from 2013 to 2018.

City also face 35 charges for allegedly failing to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023.

The financial allegations against City date back to 2009 after German newspaper Der Spiegel leaked material, which the club insist were obtained illegally.

The Premier League launched an investigation into the information, which included copies of Roberto Mancini’s contract, image rights agreements with Yaya Toure’s agent and multiple emails suggesting City’s owners had directly paid sponsorship money.

In April, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters claimed that a hearing date had been set and that the case would “resolve itself in the near future.”

City’s latest Premier League title defence kicks off on Sunday when Guardiola’s side travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.