New report reveals the exact whereabouts of 'top secret' location for Man City's 115 charges hearing
A new report has revealed the 'secret' location of Manchester City's 115 Premier League charges hearing.
The hearing into City's alleged Premier League rule breaches, which has been labelled the 'trial of the century', finally got underway on Monday following a lengthy investigation into the defending champions.
It is a pivotal moment for both City and the Premier League, with its outcome set to shape English football for years to come.
The 115 charges mainly relate to a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, with City accused of various alleged rule breaches - all of which the club deny.
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City have been accused of failing to provide accurate financial information, failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments, breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), failing to comply with UEFA regulations including financial fair play (FFP) and failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations.
Several punishments for City, should they be found guilty of all charges, have been suggested – including fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the Premier League.
The independent commission overseeing the hearing, which comprises of three people, can impose any sanction "it shall think fit".
However, City claim they have "irrefutable evidence" to support their defence and "look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all".
City have assembled an expert legal team to argue their case, led by Lord Pannick KC.
He was pictured arriving at the hearing on Monday morning, alongside his colleague - Blackstone Chambers senior clerk Gary Oliver.
Pannick has previously represented City in legal battles and was the lead barrister on the case and successfully overturned the club's two-year ban from UEFA competitions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2020.
The Daily Mail has now confirmed the International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC), which is just a two-minute walk from St. Paul's Cathedral in central London, as the location for the hearing.
Prices for booking out the main room in the building start at £1,125 per day and can reach £4,845.
The hearing is expected to last around two months. However, a final outcome to the case - including any potential appeal - may not be reached until next summer.
City were first charged in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club.
The Etihad club have won the Premier League eight times since 2012, including six of the last seven titles.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Football, FFP
Rory O'Callaghan