Respected journalist Martyn Ziegler has given a major update on Manchester City's ongoing legal battle with the Premier League.
The reigning champions are currently facing more than 100 charges for allegedly breaching rules set out by the Premier League.
The charges relate to alleged breaches of financial rules, largely relating to the Premier League and spread across a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
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Earlier on Monday afternoon, it was reported that the hearing into the case had concluded.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the closing arguments in a case with huge ramifications for English football were completed on Friday.
A three-man panel will now consider the evidence before delivering a verdict in the 'coming months'.
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However, according to a report by The Times' journalist Ziegler, City could learn their fate as soon as the end of next month.
The report stated: "Manchester City could learn their fate over the charges for multiple alleged breaches of Premier League rules before the end of January — but legal experts think that any appeal will drag on until next season.
"The hearing into more than 100 alleged rule breaches over a 14-year period came to an end on Friday after nearly three months of legal argument at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre."
It has also been suggested that the original 115 alleged breaches have now been increased to 130 - although this is said to be an error with the Premier League's reporting process at the time rather than any additional serious charges.
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Since the charges were first announced in February of 2023, City have denied any wrongdoing.
Earlier in the year, City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about the case, he said: "I am sorry to say I always want to defend my club - especially in these modern days.
"It’s like everyone doesn’t expect us to be not just relegated, they want us to disappear off the face of the earth."
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It has been claimed that City could face heavy points deduction or even relegation if found guilty of the more serious charges.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League
Marcus Chan