Manchester City have responded to the hearing on 115 charges in their annual report.
Manchester City has responded for the first time in months to the hearing into 115 charges at the Premier League.
City are accused of breaching financial regulations over an extended period and have been embroiled in a legal battle with the Premier League since September. The case has now been concluded and the verdict in the case is expected in early 2025.
The club vehemently denies all charges against them and in a new financial report published on Friday, City referred to the matter in two paragraphs.
In their annual review, in which they celebrated record revenues, City said it “welcomes the review of this matter… to consider impartially the extensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position”.
City have commented on the separate APT (Associated Party Transaction) regulations case with the Premier League, in which they challenged the club's top management over what they claimed were 'unlawful' regulations.
Although City were victorious in seven of their main arguments, the amendments were not approved after City failed to gain the necessary support from 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs on the ballot.
After closing arguments in the 115-count case, a three-judge panel will now consider the evidence before issuing its outcome in the coming months.
Should City be found guilty, they could face huge fines, points deductions or even relegation. A final decision may still be a long way off as both sides can appeal the upcoming verdict.
What are the 115 charges?
Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to 2017/18 – 54 alleged breaches
Failure to cooperate 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 2017/18 – 14 alleged breaches
Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability rules from 2015/16 to 2017/18 – Seven alleged breaches
Failure to comply with UEFA Rules, including UEFA Club Licensing Rules and Financial Fair Play – Five alleged breaches
Although the number of changes is 115, The Times says the number of alleged breaches is actually 130. Although there is no additional charge, it would be a correction from the Premier League to their statement.
Pep Guardiola was undeterred by the accusations, signing a two-year contract and regularly defending the club.
“The moment we're innocent until proven guilty, I know the people want it. I know it, I feel it,” he said in August.
'I'll wait. Wait and see and after the verdict is pronounced, we will come here and explain it.
“But I will absolutely not think about my future (if) it depends on my being here or in League One. Absolutely. There is a better chance of staying if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League .”
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