A date has been set for Manchester City’s hearing over 115 alleged rule breaches, the Premier League’s chief executive Richard Masters has told MPs – though he did not reveal when it would take place.
In February last year the league accused the club of allegedly breaking the rules over nine seasons between 2009 and 2018, following an investigation it said began in December 2018.
If found guilty penalties could include a deduction of points or even expulsion from the top division.
Asked by MPs whether he could understand fans’ frustration around why some financial investigations, like those involving Everton and Nottingham Forest, could be dealt with quickly while others like City’s took longer.
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“The volume and character of the charges laid before Man City, which I obviously cannot talk about at all, are being heard in a completely different environment,” Mr Masters said.
“There is a date set for that proceeding. I cannot unfortunately tell you when that is, but that is progressing.”
Manchester City declined to comment on Mr Masters’ remarks, but at the time the charges were announced the club said they welcomed the review of this matter by an independent commission “to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position”.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all,” City said.
Since the charges City have retained the Premier League title, won the Champions League for the first time and become club world champions.
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Everton were handed the biggest sporting sanction in the Premier League’s history – a 10-point deduction – after they was found by an independent commission to have made a loss of £134.5m over three years up to the end of the 2021-22 season.
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The league’s profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of £105m over a three-year period or face sanctions. The number and scale of charges laid before City means any punishment would likely be far more severe.
