The hearing into Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is set to commence on Monday.
City are accused of financial impropriety spanning nine years, from 2009.
The most severe penalty, if found guilty, could be relegation, though points deductions and fines are also possible consequences.
The Premier League has charged City with failing to provide accurate financial information and details regarding player and manager payments.
The investigation was triggered by the publication of Football Leaks documents by Der Spiegel in 2018.
City are accused of channelling funds from the club’s owners through sponsors in the United Arab Emirates.
The hearing, initially expected to start in September, is now confirmed to begin in just a few days.
City, who declined to comment, deny any wrongdoing and are defending their case in an independent inquiry.
The club won the Premier League title three times between 2009 and 2018, with victories in 2012, 2014, and 2018.
Currently, City are pursuing their fifth consecutive title and are also aiming to regain the Champions League, which they won in the 2022-23 season.
Alan Shearer has shared his thoughts on the upcoming proceedings.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorer acknowledged that it will be challenging to fully grasp the developments and potential outcome, but he does not anticipate a swift resolution.
“Man City’s hearing begins next week, and although we saw points deductions for Everton and Forest last season, we have recently seen that Leicester’s argument was upheld from the independent committee,’ Shearer write via Betfair.
“I haven’t got a clue what is going to happen to Man City.
“I think over the next weeks, months, or however long it’s going to take, none of us will know what’s going on, what’s happening behind those walls or what the verdict will be, if any.
“It’s just a matter of sitting tight and waiting, and then we will all have to make judgement when that comes.
“I think it’ll be a very long time before it comes out.
“We don’t know whether they’re going to be found guilty of any, a handful or all the charges, so in terms of trying to predict what’s going to happen, I think it’s virtually impossible.”
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