The four latest league titles and six league titles in seven years.
Manchester City is the giant of English football right now. But at the same time as trophies have been lifted in a row in eastern Manchester, there are question marks surrounding the club's actions between 2009-2018.
An independent investigation commissioned by the Premier League showed in February last year that City had breached the league's regulations on several occasions during the period 2009-2018. In total, it concerns 115 points that could lead to point deductions or fines. The allegations primarily concern financial rule breaches, but City is also accused of 35 points for failing to cooperate with the league's investigation.
Verdict before the season is over
City denies wrongdoing, and Pep Guardiola commented on the allegations in November last year.
We are innocent until proven guilty, he said according to BBC.
With the league premiere around the corner, new information has emerged. According to ESPN, the hearing of the club will begin on September 16. A hope is that a final verdict will come at the end of the season, and according to The Times, the verdict may come as early as the beginning of next year.
In a fresh interview with BBC, Premier League CEO Richard Masters says it's high time for a verdict.
It has been going on for several years, and I think it's obvious that the matter needs to be tried.
This is not the first time City has been accused of wrongdoing. In February 2020, the European Football Association (Uefa) announced that City had breached Uefa's financial rules. City was banned from European cup play for two years and fined over 310 million kronor. The verdict was appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), which overturned Uefa's decision. The fine was reduced, and City was allowed to participate in European cup play.
"I know what people want"
Now, the big club does not have the opportunity to appeal a final verdict to Cas, according to BBC.
In anticipation of the verdict, Erling Braut Haaland and the other superstars kick off another season with an away match against Chelsea. Guardiola has previously said that he believes people want City to be punished.
I know what people want. I know it, I feel it.
We'll have to wait and see what the verdict is, and after that, we can come here and talk about it, he has previously said.
An independent investigation commissioned by the Premier League showed in February 2023 that City had breached the league's regulations on 115 points during the period 2009-2018. During that period, City won the English league three times.
City denies wrongdoing, and a hearing of the club is expected to begin in mid-September this year. A verdict is expected to come sometime next year.
Premier League accuses Manchester City of breaching the following 115 points:
54 points: Failed to provide correct financial information.
35 points: Failed to cooperate with the Premier League's investigation.
14 points: Failed to provide correct information for payments to players and coaches.
7 points: Breached the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.
5 points: Failed to follow Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules.
Source: BBC
Friday: Manchester United–Fulham (21.00).
Saturday: Ipswich–Liverpool (13.30), Arsenal–Wolverhampton, Everton–Brighton, Newcastle–Southampton, Nottingham–Bournemouth (all 16.00), West Ham–Aston Villa (18.30).
Sunday: Brentford–Crystal Palace (15.00), Chelsea–Manchester City (17.30).
Monday: Leicester–Tottenham (21.00).
