Manchester City hearing underway - everything you need to know as club battle 115 charges

Manchester City’s dispute with the Premier League is underway - but fans are going to have to wait a long time for any sort of conclusion.

The case started on Monday and could last a couple of months with a verdict due from the independent commission in the spring, all while the club will continue its defence of the Premier League title. The Blues face 115 charges relating to financial breaches by the Premier League, allegations the club strenuously deny.

The case is being heard at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) and proceedings got underway on Monday morning. The IDRC is close to St Paul’s Cathedral in the capital. It is reported to be scheduled for 10 weeks and the charges date back as far as the 2009-10 campaign.

In total the charges cover a nine-year period, which started in 2009 and went on until 2018. During that period, Man City - who have denied all the charges against them - won the Premier League three times. Lord Pannick KC - from Blackstone Chambers - is leading City’s legal team.

There have been claims the club could face a heavy points penalty, a severe fine or even relegation if found guilty.

What has Man City boss Pep Guardiola said?

Reacting to the news the case will be heard on Monday, Guardiola said last week: “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon. An independent panel will decide. I’m looking forward to the decision.”

He added: “I don’t talk about it. We are not lawyers. Erling [Haaland] is not a lawyer so we didn’t talk about it. What is going to happen is with the independent panel and we will accept the sentence.”

The City boss added: “I’m happy it starts on Monday and I know there will be more rumours about the sentences that come up and we’re going to see. I know what people are looking for, I know what they are expecting – I know it because I have read it for many years – but I’ve said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven. So we will see.”