Manchester City

In the midst of a murky off-field situation, the Citizens have enjoyed a flawless start to their 2024-25 top-flight schedule, sitting top of the pile in the early-season standings.

Pep Guardiola's troops edged out local rivals Manchester United on penalties to lift the FA Community Shield on August 10, before recording Premier League wins over Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham United.

Netting two hat-tricks across the first three weekends of the campaign, Erling Haaland has been at his prolific best, while Kevin De Bruyne has been pulling the strings from midfield.

Following the first international break of the club calendar, Man City return to competitive action as they host Ivan Toney-less Brentford at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

Man City's Premier League hearing to begin on Monday?

According to Sky Sports News, a key date has been revealed involving the controversy surrounding Man City and their alleged breach of financial fair play rules.

The report claims that the Premier League's hearing into the Citizens will begin on Monday (September 16), marking a significant step towards a potential punishment for the English champions.

Man City are facing 115 charges from the Premier League for alleged breaches of financial fair play rules over a nine-year period, dating from 2009 to 2018.

It is alleged that the Citizens broke the rules by failing to provide accurate financial information, including the full salaries of a manager.

The English powerhouses have previously denied any wrongdoing over the scrutinised nine-year period, hoping to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Three Premier League titles tainted?

With an official verdict from the hearing reportedly not expected until at least March, there is still plenty of time to look back on what Man City achieved during the nine-year span of the 115 alleged breaches.

The Citizens lifted their first-ever Premier League crown in the 2011-12 season, with a late Sergio Aguero goal on the final day sealing the deal and allowing the blue side of Manchester to rejoice at the expense of the red section of the city.

Two years later, Man City reigned supreme in England again, with an iconic Steven Gerrard slip helping Manuel Pellegrini's side to the crown at the expense of Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool.

The club's most convincing triumph of the trio arrived in the 2017-18 term, when Guardiola's troops reached the 100-point mark, finishing 19 points ahead of Man United in second.