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Man City’s attorneys arrive for day two of membership’s trial of the century

  • City will dispute 115 charges of breaching the Premier League financial rules 
  • Lord Pannick KC is the club’s lead barrister and wore a blue tie to the IDRC 
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Manchester City‘s lawyers have arrived at the International Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC) for the second day of their high-profile hearing.

In a case that has been dubbed football’s ‘trial of the century’, City will dispute 115 charges of breaching the Premier League‘s financial rules.

The proceedings, which began on Monday, were shrouded in mystery as the location of the hearing remained unknown.

However, Mail Sport revealed the case would be heard at the IDRC, labelled as ‘one of the world’s leading global facilities at which to conduct arbitrations’.

City’s legal team, led by Lord Pannick KC, have since arrived at the IDRC for day two of the hearing.

Lord Pannick KC leads Manchester City's legal defence against the 115 alleged breaches

Lord Pannick KC leads Manchester City’s legal defence against the 115 alleged breaches

He was seen wearing a blue tie with blue polkadots as he arrived for day two of the hearing

He was seen wearing a blue tie with blue polkadots as he arrived for day two of the hearing

Lord Pannick KC arrived at the International Dispute Resolution Centre, the venue of the trial

Lord Pannick KC arrived at the International Dispute Resolution Centre, the venue of the trial

He wore a blue tie with polkadots of different blue shades. 

Lord Pannick is regarded as one of Britain’s top barristers and was the first to arrive at the IDRC on day one of the hearing.

Paul Harris KC and Philip Marshall KC are also aiding Pannick as they look to prove City’s innocence.

The Premier League’s lead barrister is Adam Lewis KC, who worked for the organisation for its cases against Everton for similar financial breaches.

Should Lewis and his legal team prove City are guilty of the most serious financial breaches, the club could face severe punishments such as relegation or a significant points deduction.

All of City’s 115 charges will be investigated, reviewed and analysed by an independent commission.

Of those charges, 54 are allegations City failed to provide accurate and up-to-date financial reports to the league from 2009-10 to 2017-18.

Thirty-five charges related to the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation into their conduct between December 2018 and February 2023.

The International Dispute Resolution Centre is the venue for City's high-profile trial

The International Dispute Resolution Centre is the venue for City’s high-profile trial

City face the prospect of a massive points deduction or even relegation if found guilty

City face the prospect of a massive points deduction or even relegation if found guilty

The club has been accused of inflating the value of their sponsorships connected to its owners

The club has been accused of inflating the value of their sponsorships connected to its owners

In recent years, City have also faced accusations for inflating the value of their sponsorships that are connected to their owners.

The first allegations of City’s financial improprieties came to light in 2018 when German outlet Der Spiegel obtained documents via Football Leaks, a site run by Portuguese computer whiz Rui Pinto.

A resolution on City’s 115 charges is expected to be reached in the spring or summer next year.