Manchester City will fight to avoid potential expulsion from the Premier League for financial breaches as sport’s “trial of the century” commenced on Monday.
Premier League champions City have been charged with 115 alleged breaches of the competition’s financial regulations.
City denied any wrongdoing and have said they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to clear their name.
But if they are found guilty, they could face a range of punishments, including a severe points penalty or even be kicked out of the Premier League.
Everton and Nottingham Forest were both hit by points deductions last season for single breaches of the league’s profit and sustainability rules.
With City winning eight league titles since 2012, including six of the last seven, a guilty verdict could prompt a slew of compensation claims from rival top-flight clubs.
City’s financial affairs have come under regular scrutiny since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.
If the verdict goes against City, there is potential for strained diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, where Mansour is a deputy prime minister.
The hearing, which is not a court case, will be heard by an independent commission and could take 10 weeks to complete, according to AFP.
City’s legal team were photographed arriving at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre for the start of the hearing on Monday.
David Pannick from Blackstone Chambers, who is City’s lead barrister, was seen on his way into the venue close to St Paul’s Cathedral in central London.
A verdict is not expected to be announced until 2025, with City likely to appeal if they are found guilty.
Of the 115 charges, 80 are for breaches of the regulations between 2009 and 2018, while a further 35 relate to failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The root of suspicion comes from leaked documents published by German outlet Der Spiegel back in 2018.
Emails purportedly sent between City executives showed the club had allegedly inflated sponsorship revenue from Abu Dhabi state-controlled airline Etihad and telecoms firm Etisalat by disguising direct investment from the Abu Dhabi United Group as income.
Other documents claimed to show off-the-books payments to then-manager Roberto Mancini via consultancy fees from a club in Abu Dhabi.
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