Why case against Man City over alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules could drag on for MONTHS - explained

City are at the centre of a landmark legal case in which they have been accused of 115 breaches of Financial Fair Play rules. The potential punishments range from a hefty fine to potential relegation from the Premier League. However, any verdict still appears to be months away.

Per The Times, who quote The Lawyer website, the hearing has been paused as closing arguments are prepared. They will not begin until December, and there could be another three months before a judgement is made. Either party is able to appeal the judgement, be it in favour of the Premier League or City, and that would take several more months. It raises the prospect of the affair not being concluded until the season is over, which means a potential headache for the league if City are punished.

The Premier League have been investigating Pep Guardiola's side for over five years, and both sides are expected to spend vast sums on legal representation as they bid for the outcome they want.

We will have to wait until December for any further updates on the court case but on the pitch, City are in crisis. They have not won any of their last six games in all competitions and play Liverpool this weekend. Guardiola's men are eight points behind the Reds at the top of the league.