115 charges against Manchester City: Pep Guardiola ‘happy’ that hearing will start soon

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is “pleased” that a hearing into the 115 charges against the club will begin soon.

An independent disciplinary committee is expected to hear the case against City over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, some of which date back to 2009.

According to BBC Sport, the hearing is expected to begin in September and the outcome could be known early next year, as first reported by The Times., external.

The city has denied all accusations and says they are supported by an “irrefutable body of evidence.”

“I’m happy that it starts soon and I hope it ends soon for the benefit of all of us,” Guardiola said.

“Especially for the club but for all the other Premier League clubs, as well as for all the people who are not waiting for the sentence.

“I wish with all my heart to go to trial, to the independent panel – and I repeat, independent panel – and as soon as possible, to disclose what happened, and we will accept as always what we have done.”

Guardiola dismissed the idea that the situation surrounding the crowd could affect City’s performances on the pitch.

“No, we’ve been talking about it for three or four years,” he added.

It is now 18 months since City were charged, following a four-year investigation, and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters recently told BBC Sport “it is time for the matter to be resolved”.

In a separate legal case, City are also taking action against the Premier League over the organisation’s stricter rules on “fair” sponsorship deals, with an outcome expected in the coming weeks.