Manchester City have commented on the 115 charges hearing with the Premier League for the first time in months.
City are accused of breaching financial regulations over an extended period and have been in a legal battle with the Premier League since September. It has now concluded and the verdict on the case is expected to arrive in early 2025.
The club strenuously deny all charges against them and in a new financial report issued on Friday, City made a two-paragraph reference to the case.
In their annual review, where they celebrated record revenue, City say it "welcomes the review of this matter… to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position".
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City have commented on the separate APT (Associated Party Transaction) rules case with the Premier League, which saw them challenge the top brass on what they believed to be "unlawful" regulations in place.
Although City were victorious in seven of their key arguments, amendments were not approved after City were unsuccessful in achieving the necessary support from 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs in the vote.
After closing arguments were completed in the 115 charges case, a three-man panel will now consider the evidence before delivering the outcome in the coming months.
Should City be found guilty, they could been the receiving end of huge fines, a points deduction or even relegation. A final decision could still be a long way way away given both sides will be able to appeal against the forthcoming verdict.
What are the 115 charges?
- Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 54 alleged breaches
- Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023 - 35 alleged breaches
- Failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 14 alleged breaches
- Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations from 2015/16 to and including 2017/18 - Seven alleged breaches
- Failure to comply with UEFA's regulations, including UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations - Five alleged breaches
Although 115 has been the number of changes, The Times say the amount of alleged breaches is actually 130. While there are no additional charges, it is reported to be a correction from the Premier League on their statement.
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Pep Guardiola has not been deterred by the charges, signing a two-year contract and regularly defended the club.
"At the moment we are innocent until it is proved we are guilty I know the people want it. I know, I feel it," he said in August.
"I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.
"But absolutely I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola
Josh Lawless