'It is time' - Premier League chief executive Richard Masters provides update on Manchester City's 115 financial charges

The inquiry into City's alleged breaches of Premier League rules was initially scheduled to take place in late autumn of this year. However, in an effort to expedite the process, the start date has been moved up to September. This decision aligns with the Premier League's desire to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible, given the gravity of the accusations and the significant interest surrounding the case.

In an interview withBBC, Masters said: "It is time now for the case to resolve itself."

When questioned about the potential impact of the case on the Premier League, Masters acknowledged: "It's been going on for a number of years and I think it's self-evident that the case needs to be heard and answered. When the case has been heard there will be a decision published and all the questions you would like me to answer will be answered as part of that process.”

However, Masters stopped short of providing a specific date for City's hearing as he still “could not confirm”.

City are also engaged in a separate legal dispute with the Premier League as they have filed a lawsuit around the competition's tightened regulations on "fair" sponsorship deals. However, Masters declined to comment on this matter, citing that the proceedings are “entirely confidential”.

Should City be found guilty of some or all of the charges, it is expected that the club will appeal the decision. This possibility could further prolong the resolution of the case, potentially delaying any punishment until after the appeals process is completed. However, both the Premier League and Manchester City are hopeful that the matter will be fully concluded by the end of 2025.

Despite the looming legal challenges, City remain focused on the start of the new Premier League season. Under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, the team recently claimed the Community Shield and are now setting their sights on a fifth-straight Premier League title. They will begin their title defence with a challenging away match against Chelsea on Sunday.