By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Manchester City’s hearing over the 115 charges for allegedly breaking the Premier League’s financial rules is set to take place on Monday, September 16,
City have been charged with breaking financial fair play rules over a nine-year period, which started in 2009 and went on until 2018.
During that period, Man City – who have denied all the charges against them – won the Premier League three times.
According to the Premier League, Man City broke the rules over nine seasons by allegedly failing to provide accurate financial information.
Among the charges against City are that they didn not fully disclose the financial remunerations that were made to one of their managers over a four-year period.The suggestion is that there was a secret contract so one of the managers was getting paid much more than officially stated.
The Premier League also allege City did not comply with UEFA’s financial fair play rules over a five-year period. They also allege City have not fully co-operated with the Premier League’s investigation.
The prospect of guilty verdict would raise various questions; would Pep Guardiola leave, how would Sheikh Mansour respond having invested so much in the club and in the city of Manchester?
How would the UAE – which has faced allegations that City is being used as a sports-washing tool to improve the country’s image – handle such a PR disaster?
Would there be an appeal? Would there be calls for titles and trophies to be re-allocated?
Would it dent the immense pride that City fans feel for the outstanding teams the manager has produced?
The hearing, which has been described as ‘the trial of the century’ is expected to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict being announced in early 2025. City return to Premier League action after the international break on Saturday when they face Brentford.