Premier League news as Liverpool learn new information about Manchester City's high-profile case over 115 alleged financial breaches
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Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
Liverpool have got an update on the possibility of Manchester City being relegated from the Premier League were they to be found guilty of alleged financial breaches (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
A 'minority' of Premier League clubs would push to have Manchester City relegated should the most serious of their alleged financial breaches be proven - although that outcome is an 'unlikely' possibility, it has been reported. The closing arguments of Man City's legal battle against the Premier League began this week as the footballing world continues to wait for a final verdict.
City have been charged with a total of 129 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules dated between the 2009 and 2018 as well as failure to cooperate with the league's investigation into the matter. The club strenuously deny all wrongdoing.
It was initially claimed the club had been hit with a total of 115 charges, although this was later corrected due to the Premier League miscalculating some of the charges in relation to specific seasons. In a further update on Thursday, December 5, The Independent reported that by the end of the week the hearing in London will have concluded.
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The report claims 'a minority' of the Premier League's member clubs would push to have City relegated should the most serious of the allegations be proven but that currently it seems 'unlikely' as the matter would have to go to a vote between all clubs and 15 would need to be in favour of demoting the champions.
It comes just days after Liverpool boss Arne Slot joked about the charges in his press conference prior to the Reds visiting Newcastle. Slot made a quip about the serial title-winners dropping down the divisions in order to deflect a question regarding Mohamed Salah's contract situation.
The boss was asked about the attacker stating last Sunday might have been his last home appearance against Pep Guardiola's side, so replied: "Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 accusations so expects them not to be in the Premier League next season!
"I do expect them to be in the Premier League... The boring answer is always the same. This is not the place for me to talk about Mo's contract. Maybe I've said already too much about the joke I've just made. So that will probably get the headlines. But it was a joke, I repeat, it was a joke!"
As all charges will need to be reviewed by an independent commission once the trial has concluded this week, a full verdict may not be announced publicly until after the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
No matter the outcome, an appeal from whoever ends up the losing side is also anticipated therefore months more of proceedings would be required and ultimately any punishment would likely only arrive after this stage has concluded.