Manager Pep Guardiola has expressed relief that the hearing into Manchester City’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations is set to commence on Monday.
The charges, which led to City being referred to an independent commission, were announced in February 2023 following a four-year investigation.
The allegations suggest that City violated financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Manchester City has firmly denied all charges, asserting that their defense is backed by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence.”
“It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon,” Guardiola said of the hearing. “An independent panel will decide and I am looking forward to the decision.
“I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumours, new specialists about the sentences. We’re going to see. I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect, I know, what I read for many, many years.
“Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”
Dubbed as sport’s “trial of the century,” the hearing is anticipated to last 10 weeks, with a verdict expected in early 2025.
The Premier League has also accused Manchester City of failing to cooperate with its investigation.
When the investigation was initiated, City labeled the allegations as “entirely false,” claiming that the information initially reported by German newspaper Der Spiegel was obtained through “illegal hacking and out-of-context publication of City emails.”
If found guilty of the most serious charges, City could face severe penalties, including a points deduction that might lead to relegation or even expulsion from the Premier League.
Since their 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, City has won eight league titles, numerous cups, and the Champions League.