Why are Manchester City in trouble with the Premier League?

STORY: Manchester City is used to winning on the soccer pitch, but it may have come up against its toughest opponent yet off it.

A hearing began Monday (September 16) after England's Premier League accused its current champions of breaching financial regulations.

So... why are Man City in hot water?

:: Why are Man City in hot water?

The Premier League charged City with 115 violations of its regulations last year.

The charges cover a period starting from 2009 and continuing into the 2022-23 season.

:: What are the allegations?

City are alleged to have breached rules that require clubs to provide accurate financial information to give the league a 'true and fair view' of the club's revenues from 2009-10 to 2017-18.

The Premier League also argues City violated rules requiring clubs to comply with European soccer body UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations over a number of seasons.

The Premier League alleged City did not cooperate with the league during the entirety of its investigation, which began in 2018.

City have also been charged with breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability rules for multiple seasons running, among other allegations.

Football law and financial expert, Stefan Borson.

"Well, it will be very difficult for an independent commission to make a finding of fraud against the sorts of individuals who were involved, both in relation to Manchester City, but also to third parties involved. And proving that in this forum, I think will be a challenge...But if they do, clearly the consequences are very serious for Manchester City."

:: What if City's found guilty?

If found guilty, the club could face penalties or huge fines, points deductions, and being stripped of their titles or even demotion from the Premier League.

City were banned from the Champions League for two years by UEFA in 2020 for overstating sponsorship revenue, but the club successfully appealed the decision.

City has always denied any wrongdoing and last year said it was surprised by the league's announcement of the charges.

On Friday, manager Pep Guardiola spoke on the matter at a press conference.

"Yeah. It starts soon, hopefully finishes soon. (An) Independent panel will decide and looking forward to the decision."

:: How long could the hearing last?

The hearing is estimated to last 10 weeks, with a verdict expected some time before the end of the current season.

It will be held by an independent commission, with three judges appointed by the independent chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel.

The hearing is not a court case and will be conducted privately, and either side can appeal the verdict to an appeals panel.