Manchester City in action© AFP
Manchester City will fight to avoid potential expulsion from the Premier League for financial breaches as sport's "trial of the century" begins on Monday. Premier League champions City have been charged with 115 alleged breaches of the competition's financial regulations. City deny 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.
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.
- 'Irrefutable evidence' -
City have already defended their position in one case after overturning a two-year ban from the Champions League by UEFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2020.
CAS found most of the alleged breaches of overstating sponsorship revenue were either not established or "time-barred" because they fell outside the five-year statutory limit for prosecution.
No so such time limitation clause exists in the Premier League case, although City remain confident of avoiding sanctions.
"I know what people are looking for, I know what they are expecting. I know it because I have read it for many years but I've said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven. So we will see," City manager Pep Guardiola said last week.
Aymeric Laporte was a serial title winner with City before moving to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr and the defender claimed Guardiola's players were reassured there was nothing to worry about during his time at the club.
"When I was there and the news broke, the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain) and the CEO (Ferran Soriano) came and told all the players and staff that we can all be very calm because not one rule has been broken by Man City," Laporte told Mail Sport.
However, a guilty verdict could bring an end to Guardiola's glorious reign, which includes winning City's first Champions League crown in 2023.
The Spaniard, who is into the final year of his contract, has steadfastly backed City's owners but previously said he would walk if they had not been honest with him.
"If you lie to me, the day after I am not here," said Guardiola in 2022.
Severe sanctions would raise doubts over the future of City's cast of star players, including prolific striker Erling Haaland.
Should City prove their innocence, the Premier League will stand accused of being a soft touch outmanoeuvered by the deep pockets of state-backed clubs.