EXCLUSIVE: Man City and the Premier League agree date for trial over 115 financial rule-break charges – with expected timing for the verdict FINALLY set, when they could face a huge points deduction

Football’s trial of the century has been pencilled in for late next year.

Mail Sport understands that the Premier League and Manchester City have agreed a date at which they will face off in front of an independent panel in arguably the biggest hearing in the competition’s history.

The top-flight charged its champions with 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations in February after opening an investigation in 2018.

Throughout a long-running saga the competition and the club have remained tight-lipped – and both declined to comment when contacted.

However, it can be revealed that a date for the showdown has been initially scheduled for the late autumn of 2024.

Manchester City’s hearing over 115 financial charges is scheduled for late autumn next year

Pep Guardiola’s team could face a huge points deduction if found guilty of wrongdoing

Those with knowledge of the situation believe that a conclusion may not follow until the end of next season – which is when City boss Pep Guardiola‘s current contract is due to expire.

It is understood that what has been a highly confidential process is currently at the stage where statements are being taken from witnesses – which is likely to remain the case until next spring.

Should the trial go ahead on time, a verdict would be likely around the summer of 2025.

Delays, however, may well push the proceedings back further. And should either party find the eventual outcome unpalatable it would be difficult to imagine a world in which they would not appeal. Such a scenario would add significant time.

Should they need to, City may well explore further avenues, although they would not be able to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where they successfully had their UEFA-delivered Champions League ban overturned.

City are accused of breaching 115 regulations over 14 seasons from 2009-10 onwards.

The charges include claims over financial reporting and a lack of co-operation with a Premier League investigation which was opened in 2018. City deny any wrongdoing.

Everton were charged with breaking financial rules in March, a month after City’s charges were announced, and earlier this month were given a 10-point deduction, which they have appealed.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (left) and chief executive Ferran Soriano (right) watch their 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium last weekend

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters pictured at a match earlier this season

City are the reigning Premier League champions but the charges have cast a shadow

Guardiola recently stated that everyone outside the club wanted to see them punished over the allegations.

‘We are innocent until guilt is proved,’ he said before last weekend’s draw with Liverpool. ‘I know the people want it (City punished). I know, I feel it. I will wait and see, and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain.’

He added that he would remain at the club, even if they were found guilty and relegated down the divisions.

‘Absolutely, I will not consider my future (if) it depends being here or being in League One,’ Guardiola said. ‘There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.’

City have previously insisted that they have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back their case.