MANCHESTER CITY'S 115 PREMIER LEAGUE CHARGES: UPDATE GIVEN FOR HEARING DATE BY RICHARD MASTERS

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has indicated the hearing into Manchester City's 115 charges will take place "in the near future".

In 2023, reigning Premier League champions City were hit with the charges in relation to alleged Financial Fair Play breaches. The allegations relate to nine seasons beginning with the 2009-10 campaign, and came following a four-year investigation.

While City have yet to learn the outcome of the charges, which were referred to a commission in February 2023, other Premier League clubs have been hit with points penalties for their own breaches of Profit and Sustainability Regulations. Everton have suffered two separate points deductions this season and Nottingham Forest one, with both clubs contesting their punishment.

The Manchester club have maintained their innocence throughout. Last season's treble winners, who are in contention to win a fourth straight league title this term, say they have a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their case.

"We can’t comment on the case, the date is set," Masters said. "The case will resolve itself at some point in the near future. I can’t make any further comment on it."

In January, Masters indicated a date had been set for City's hearing. He didn't get more specific than that, though, and the latest comments at the European Leagues General Assembly are the closest he has come to giving a full idea of when the next steps will take place.

"I can [understand fan frustration] but they are very different charges," he told a Culture, Media and Sport select committee when the quicker resolution of Everton's charges was raised. "If any club, the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of the spending rules for 2023 they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest but 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.

"There is a date set for that proceeding, unfortunately I can't tell you when that is but it is progressing. I can't give any details on Man City beyond saying that a date has been set, I can't tell you when that date is."

Has the Premier League taken to long over Manchester City's charges? Have your say in the comments section

While they wait for the next steps, City have been continuing their title charge on the pitch. Pep Guardiola's team won 4-0 at Brighton on Thursday night to climb to second in the table, one point behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

Guardiola's men were out of sight before half-time thanks to one goal from Kevin De Bruyne and two from Phil Foden. Julian Alvarez added a fourth in the second half, and City could end the weekend top of the table if Arsenal fail to win at Tottenham and they beat Nottingham Forest.

‌“We have done it before to win the title but that does not make it easier," Guardiola said after the Brighton game. "I would love to say it does but it really doesn’t. We have to do the things to make it happen."

DON'T SCRAP REPLAYS! Join our petition to keep the magic of the FA Cup alive!

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2024-04-26T13:42:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd