NEW MAN CITY CHARGES HEARING DETAIL EMERGES AS COSTS LAID BARE AMID RELEGATION THREAT

It's the third day of Manchester City's hearing over 130 alleged breaches of Premier League FFP rules.

The club were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a lengthy investigation. It's alleged that City breached financial guidelines over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

City have strongly denied all charges and have previously stated their case is supported by a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence'. However, the Premier League reckon that City breached the rules - which required the club to provide 'accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position'.

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That private hearing, which is being held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) in London, is set to last at least 10 weeks. Here, The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at how other media publications have reported on the latest news regarding City's case.

The Sun

Writing in its latest column, The Sun have pinpointed how City's financial hearing will be split into two elements and have explained how a final decision will be reached. The newspaper wrote: "Manchester City kicked off their legal fight with the Premier League.

"An anticipated 10-week City of London hearing into the club's alleged 115 financial breaches will, effectively, be split into two elements. The initial part of the case will see Prem [Premier League] lawyers seeking to prove that City were in breach of the regulations. Should their charges be upheld, there would be a second stage as the two sides argue over the sanction to be applied.

"Under Prem [Premier League] regulations, all punishments from a fine, points deductions and including expulsion from the league would be at the discretion of a three-member commission, who will decide the case."

The Times

In their column discussing City's situation, The Times has offered an overall insight into the case. The report has given details of the people who are overseeing the case and how long the trial is expected to last for.

The newspaper wrote: "The biggest disciplinary case in the history of English football has kicked off as lawyers for Manchester City and the Premier League gathered in London for an independent commission's arbitration into alleged serial breaches of rules by the club.

"Lord Pannick KC, of Blackstone Chambers, is one of Britain's top barristers. He's leading the defence for City and was the first to arrive at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, wearing a tie with a sky-blue design. The lawyer website reported that the Premier League's legal team entered the centre through a side door before the arbitration hearing.

"City are facing more than 100 alleged rule breaches over the 14-year period, it was originally thought there were 115 separate alleged breaches but there are actually 130. When the Premier League originally announced its list of charges in February 2023, there was confusion over some of the rules listed in the charges in relation to particular seasons and it had to issue a correction.

"If the most serious charges, around allegedly not accurately reporting financial information over nine years, are found proven, City could face relegation or a huge points deduction. The leadership of the Premier League, which is acting as the prosecutor in the case, will also be under close scrutiny when the arbitration comes to a conclusion.

"The case is expected to last 10 weeks, with an outcome in the new year. The idea is that there will be time for any appeal process to be completed before the end of the season. The Premier League's investigation into City has been going on for nearly five years and the legal costs for both sides are expected to be enormous.

"The Premier League racked up legal costs of £4.9million dealing with one charge against Everton of breaching the Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The lawyer reported that at least two other top barristers, Paul Harris KC from Monckton Chambers and Serle Court's Philip Marshall KC, are working with Pannick. The London law firm Clifford Chance has also been working with City on the case.

"The Premier League's senior barrister is also from Blackstone Chambers, Adam Lewis KC, who has worked for it on cases against Everton. His Blackstone colleague Andrew Hunter KC, and a team of at least half a dozen juniors from the chamber will appear alongside him. The league has had a team from Bird & Bird's law firm, led by the former Sale rugby player Max Duthie, working with it on the investigation."

The Daily Mail

As for The Daily Mail, the newspaper focussed on the extortionate prices to hire rooms at the IDRC. Not to mention the costs of food and refreshments.

It reads: "The International Dispute Resolution Centre in London has been revealed as the venue for football's 'trial of the century'. Manchester City's fight against 115 charges of breaching Premier League financial rules started under a cloak of secrecy.

"And it can now be confirmed that the case is being heard in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral, at 'one of the world's leading global facilities at which to conduct arbitrations'. To hire out the largest room at the IDRC for one day costs £4,845, while overtime costs as much as £300 an hour. There are 70 rooms in all.

"Given the trial is expected to last 10 weeks, venue hire alone could cost close to £250,000. Food is not cheap, either. A sandwich sets you back £13.95, while 'refreshments' are £11.95. Buffet food, hot or cold, costs £35. Lawyers working for City and the Premier League arrived for the independent hearing. Lord Pannick KC, leading the defence, was the first to appear, wearing a tie with traces of sky blue.

"The Premier League's lead barrister is Adam Lewis KC. Neither side's lawyer commented as they left."

PA Media

The multimedia news agency has offered a different overview into the case.

Their initial report reads: "Manchester City's lawyers arrived at London's International Dispute Resolution Centre as a hearing to examine 115 Premier League charges issued against the club began. Lord Pannick KC from Blackstone Chambers, who is leading City's legal team, was pictured arriving at the resolution centre, close to St Paul's Cathedral in central London.

"The hearing is reported to have been scheduled for 10 weeks, with the independent commission's verdict not expected until the new year. The charges facing City, who won a fourth successive Premier League title in May, date back as far as the 2009/2010 season. It's thought the club, who are also accused of failing to cooperate with an investigation, could face a range of punishments including a severe points penalty or even expulsion from the Premier League, if found guilty.

"City were charged by the league in February 2023 after a long investigation into allegations published by the German magazine Der Spiegel in autumn 2018. The club deny wrongdoing and have said previously that they have a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their stance. City's financial affairs have come under regular scrutiny since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.

"In 2020 they were banned from European competition after being found guilty of breaking UEFA's financial fair play rules, but they successfully challenged that ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

2024-09-18T18:33:01Z dg43tfdfdgfd