In 'Trial of the Century', Manchester City could face punishment for violating financial fair play

Manchester City, accused 115 times of violating the Premier League's financial fair play, will have its trial – which the British press calls the “Trial of the Century” – started this Monday (16). Initially, the hearings were scheduled for November. However, an independent commission of the English league brought the case forward. The process is expected to last ten weeks, and, with possible appeals, the final decision will take place between March and June 2025.

The accusation

Murray Rosen, chairman of the Premier League's judicial panel, was responsible for selecting three members to form an independent commission that will conduct the hearing.

According to this commission, Manchester City is being accused of violating league rules that require the “better faith” in the information statement “that provide a true and fair view of the club's financial position.”

The league accuses the club of providing inaccurate information about the club's revenues, costs and player remuneration between 2010 and 2016, as well as alleged violations in the payment to Roberto Mancini, the club's Italian coach between 2009 and 2013. It also accuses the team of not cooperating with the investigations.

The total period of alleged non-compliance is from 2009 to 2018, when the club won three English league titles.

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_{Guardiola, Manchester City coach (Photo: reproduction/Naomi Baker/Getty Images Embed)}

Possible punishments

If the club is found guilty, the most serious consequence would be expulsion from the Premier League. Other punishments would be relegation or loss of points.

Recently, other similar cases have occurred in the Premier League, but with less severity: Everton and Nottingham Forest violated some profit and sustainability rules, and were punished with the loss of points in the championship.

Pep Guardiola, the team's coach, assured that club members told him that no illegalities had been committed. He also commented that, even if the club was relegated, it would be possible for him to continue in his position.

Featured Photo: Manchester City team (Reproduction/Naomi Baker/Getty Images Embed)