By Razeen Gutta
The hearing into Manchester City’s 115 Premier League financial fair play charges finally began on Monday.
The English champions were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation, with the case then referred to an independent commission.
City allegedly breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018; however the club have denied all allegations.
The private hearing is expected to last between two and three months and is reportedly being held at the international dispute resolution centre in London.
According to BBC correspondent Laura Scott, the secrecy around the case was followed by more discreet behaviour from all those involved when the hearing got underway on Monday.
“The barristers we saw going into the hearing this morning didn’t give much away. But it provided useful confirmation that the hearing has indeed started – and that it’s happening at London’s international dispute resolution centre,” Scott said per BBC.
“On Monday morning there was just myself, my producer and one other trade journalist who were outside the location.”
The independent panel will continue to hear evidence. A verdict is not expected until 2025 in what has been dubbed as British sport’s “trial of the century”.
Pictured above: Pep Guardiola.
Source: @fabrizioromano
