The hearing into Manchester City's charges for allegedly breaking Premier League financial rules will finally begin today. The reigning champions were charged and referred to an independent commission last February after a four-year investigation.
City were hit with 115 charges, with the alleged offences said to have taken place between 2009 and 2018. They have strongly denied any wrongdoing and have said that their case is supported by a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence'.
The hearing into the charges will take place entirely in private, with details likely to be few and far between throughout the process. It is expected to run for around 10 weeks, paving the way for a verdict to be announced in early 2025.
If found guilty, a range of punishments could be handed down to City including a limitless fine and expulsion from the Premier League.
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Premier League rivals want severe penalties
Premier League teams want the book thrown at City if they are found guilty of most or all of the charges facing them, according to The Telegraph.
It is said that many teams believe a points deduction, even if it results in City being relegated, would be too lenient.
One senior figure has reportedly called for points deductions to be applied across multiple seasons if City are found to have broken the rules.
The independent panel would have no power to directly relegate City to a specific division because it has no jurisdiction over the EFL or National League.
The panel could, however, decide to expel City from the Premier League, an extreme punishment which would have significant repercussions.
What are the potential punishments?
A range of punishments would be on the cards if City are found guilty by the independent panel.
They could be docked points, given a limitless fine or even kicked out of the Premier League, possibly in the middle of the season, but this would be an extreme punishment.
A decision is unlikely to be made until next year, though it is expected to arrive before the end of the current season.
What are the charges?
The Premier League have accused City of breaking the rules over nine seasons by allegedly failing to provide accurate financial information.
Allegedly, they did not fully disclose the financial remunerations that were made to one of their managers over a four-year period.
The Premier League also allege that City failed to comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules over a five-year period.
City have also been accused of failing to fully co-operate with the Premier League's investigation into their financial dealings.
They have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Welcome
Welcome to Express Sport's rolling coverage of the latest Manchester City news on the first day of their landmark hearing with the Premier League.
The hearing will take place entirely in private at an undisclosed location, meaning concrete details will be few and far between.
However, we will be bringing you everything we know about what is being dubbed the 'trial of the century'.
Stay tuned...
