The Premier League is said to have contacted Manchester City to find out when their allegations for Financial Fair Play violations would be heard.

Pep Guardiola’s team has won the Premier League title five of the last six seasons, including the last three in a row, but a dark cloud has hung over that triumph since it was revealed last year that Man City was being probed for 115 various financial violations.

And, after Everton were docked 10 points earlier this month following a nearly three-year investigation into allegations the Toffees violated profit and sustainability rules, there is speculation that City, as well as Chelsea, who are also under investigation for similar alleged offences dating back to the Roman Abramovich era, could face significant punishments.

To that end, an alarming revelation said City may face a calamitous points punishment, while a similar fate for Chelsea, if proven guilty, might possibly result in relegation from the Premier League.

In response to such a scenario, football finance analyst Kieran Maguire cautioned Football Insider: “Relegation is a possible punishment.”

“According to the Premier League handbook, they have unlimited punishments available to them, including expulsion from the Premier League.” So that is essentially the nuclear option.

“Is that possible?” Yes, but not likely – that is my reaction. However, we could be looking at a huge point loss.

“We could easily end up with a 30-point deduction, which for Man City could still mean European qualification.”

All of this has made for some uneasy reading for fans and officials at both Premier League giants.

Man City’s trial over FFP violations has been given a Premier League date

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, the Premier League has contacted City to inform them that a trial for the 115 counts against them will be held in late fall 2024, just than a year from today.

The trial will be the largest of its kind in world football history, and if City is found guilty of a number of the violations, it might result in the most severe punishments ever seen in the game.

The charges, which were originally made known to City in February of this year, are the outcome of a four-year probe of Etihad Stadium operations.

And for those wondering why the hearing will not take place for another year, it is merely to give those in charge of and monitoring the inquiry more time and evidence before the hearing.

Of all, there are two sides to every tale, and the extended delay will provide City with an opportunity to improve on their defense.

When the findings of the investigation were made public earlier this year, City stated that they were not just “surprised” by the claims, but that they were also supported by a “body of irrefutable evidence.”

The news of the upcoming investigation will no doubt please Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, who recently accused the Premier League of “running scared” of Manchester City.

The punishment might coincide with the departure of Pep Guardiola

However, the conclusions of the investigation are unlikely to be made public shortly after the hearing, according to the warning.

To that end, Keegan believes that the outcome of next autumn’s hearing, as well as potential punishments, will not be decided until the end of the 2024/25 season.

As a result, any points punishment might be implemented for the start of the 2025/26 season, with the prospect of City starting the season with a negative points tally if proven guilty.

The prospective punishment date also overlaps with the expiration of Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad, which is set to expire in summer 2025.

As things currently stand, Guardiola is not in talks to extend his contract and is widely likely to leave his position at City when that date approaches.

Guardiola has also stated that if the harshest punishments are meted out, he will rethink his future at the club, but he has been careful to point out that City’s alleged infraction is “completely different” from Everton’s.

“I spoke with my people – [they] said it is completely different,” Guardiola stated last week.

“OK, [our] one is longer because it is more complicated with 115 breaches.” So, be patient.

“Then the lawyers from both sides present their cases in front of the judge and [we receive] the verdict.”

Guardiola remains tight-lipped about a possible City exit.

Guardiola did not have a knee-jerk reaction when asked if being kicked out of the Premier League would force him to leave the Etihad.

“I’ll wait. “Wait and see, and when the sentence is finished, we’ll come here and explain it,” he added.

“But I will not think about my future if it comes down to being here or in League One.”

“Absolutely. We have a better chance of staying in League One than in the Champions League.

“I understand when people say, ‘OK, City, why don’t they go to the [National League]?'” Wait. What will happen when [the decision is made] will happen.

“What people accuse us of, we do not agree with them. We will defend ourselves, and after the resolution is completed, I will be here as a spokesman for my club.”