Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has spoken out on Manchester City's 115 charges hearing after its likely start date was confirmed.
ESPN report that the hearing is scheduled to begin on September 16 and is anticipated to last approximately two months.
However, a final verdict - including any potential appeal – is not expected to be reached until after the end of the 2024/25 season.
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The Premier League first charged City back in February 2023 on 115 counts of breaching regulations, after initially opening an investigation into the club five years earlier.
The charges relate to a 14-season period from 2009/10 onwards and comprise of various alleged rule breaches, all of which City strenuously deny.
City have been charged with 54 counts of failing to provide accurate information, 14 counts of failing to provide accurate details for player and manager payments, seven counts of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR), five counts of failing to comply with UEFA regulations including financial fair play (FFP) and 35 counts of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations from 2018 onwards.
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City claim they have "irrefutable evidence" to support their defence, with the matter to be settled at the upcoming hearing which will be overseen by an independent panel.
Premier League chief executive Masters says the dispute must be resolved as soon as possible for the good of the league.
"It's been going on for a number of years and it is time now for the case to resolve itself," he said.
When asked about the importance of the legal dispute, Masters added: "It does matter. It creates uncertainty and frustration.
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"But there is no alternative to enforcing the rules, which everyone agreed.
"They have looked each other in the eye and shaken each other's hand and said, 'We will abide by these rules'. So the Premier League has to enforce them.
"Whatever difficulty or frustration that creates is part of protecting the Premier League's competition, its core values."
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The Sun report that a range of potential punishments could be handed to City if they are found guilty of breaching Premier League rules, including fines, points deductions and even relegation.
Meanwhile, City are currently locked in a separate legal battle with the League over its associated party transaction (APT) rules.
The Times claim a ruling in that case could be given in the next fortnight, with a swift outcome potentially allowing the 115 charges hearing to be brought forward.
SPORTbible has contacted Manchester City for comment.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Football, FFP
Rory O'Callaghan