Man City charges hearing LIVE - Day five in court as players 'explore options' amid relegation fears

Manchester City's hearing against the Premier League is well underway with the club's lawyers fighting to prove their innocence against the 130 financial charges they are alleged to have breached.

Back in February 2023, City were charges with alleged breaches of financial rules spread across a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. Though other clubs have faced punishment for breaking profit and sustainability rules, as this is an unprecedented case, the possible punishments could be huge.

That means expulsion from the Premier League, the stripping of titles and enormous fines are all possible. With the hearing now entering day five, more lawyers and experts are beginning to offer their thoughts with a new report suggesting players' agents are exploring options if the worst-case scenario plays out.

Elsewhere, ahead of their huge Premier League clash this weekend, both Man City and Arsenal begun their Champions League campaigns with 0-0 draws against Inter and Atalanta, respectively.

The Manchester Evening News will have all of the latest updates as soon as they happen - so stay up to date and learn about the latest goings-on in the hearing in our live blog below.

Hello and welcome to MEN Sport's Manchester City FFP hearing live blog with day five in court set to begin shortly.

The first week of the case has been heard with plenty of outside opinions from experts emerging on what could happen and the potential punishments City may face if found guilty of the 130 charges they are facing. A new report has also revealed the stance of many players with relegation a possibility.

For all the latest updates on the hearing between City and the Premier League, stay right here throughout the day!