Man City's 115-charge FFP hearing to start on MONDAY – with Premier League champions waiting to discover fate after talk of point deductions, fines or demotion from English top-flight

The reigning kings of English football discovered early in 2023, following a long-running investigation, that they would be charged with supposed monetary misdemeanours. The charges against them date back to 2009 – shortly after Sheikh Mansour completed his takeover of the club.

City stand accused of failing to provide accurate information regarding their overall finances, as well as player and manager payments. Those at the Etihad Stadium – who made history last season when securing a fourth successive top-flight crown – deny any wrongdoing and are defending their case at an independent inquiry.

It had been reported for some time that City’s FFP hearing would begin in September, and be completed by the end of the calendar year, and it has now been revealed that proceedings will be begin on Monday the 16th.

Once all relevant evidence and arguments have been presented, heard and considered, a final judgement will be made. There has been talk of City being stung with points penalties – similar to those handed out to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season – hefty fines or even demotion out of the Premier League.

It has also been suggested that City could avoid any kind of punishment, as they battle to clear their name, and there is no guarantee that the protracted saga will be brought to a close by the end of 2025 as any appeals would drag matters on into the new year and beyond.