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Premier League Set Date For ‘Trial Of The Century’ Over Man City 115 FFP Breaches

Published

8 months ago

November 30, 2023

The Premier League has set a trial date for Manchester City’s purported violations of 115 Financial Fair Play regulations has been scheduled.

The claims against City were made earlier this year after a five-year investigation into alleged infractions of financial regulations. Both the Premier League and City have been silent about the claims since they were made public in February. On the other hand, the lawsuit’s hearing has been set for late autumn of 2024, according to The Daily Mail.

City are accused of breaching 115 regulations over the course of 14 seasons from the start of the 2009/2010 campaign. Among these are allegations of falsified financial reporting and noncompliance with the Premier League’s probe. The champions have refuted any wrongdoing, and manager Guardiola has recently taken aim at those who demand punishment for City. Furthermore, the Spaniard maintained that he would stay at the Etihad Stadium even if City was proven guilty of the accusations.

The issue was brought back into the spotlight after Everton, a Premier League team, was given a 10-point deduction for the current season after an independent panel found them guilty of violating the league’s profitability and sustainability rules, even though the reports on the Citizens’ violations had significantly cooled down. Following the deduction, supporters took to the streets in anger, believing that the Premier League had not handled the reigning champions’ case with the same urgency that they had handled the Toffees’ issue.

According to the report from the Mail, a resolution might not come until the end of the following season, which is when Guardiola‘s current contract is set to expire. It is acknowledged that the procedure, which has been extremely private so far, is presently at the phase where witness statements are being obtained; which will probably continue until the spring of next year.

A verdict would most likely be rendered in the summer of 2025 if the trial goes forward as planned. Conversely, if there are delays, the procedure may take longer. It is inconceivable that City would decide not to appeal in the event that any party finds the outcome to be unsatisfactory. Such a circumstance would prolong the procedure even more.