Premier League officials including Richard Masters ‘told to disclose texts and e-mails that mention Manchester City’ before November’s hearing into the 115 charges against the club

Premier League officials have been told to make public texts, emails and WhatsApp messages mentioning Manchester City.

As reported by The timesThe trial will take place ahead of the hearing on the 115 charges City faces, which will take place in November.

City, who deny all wrongdoing, have been accused by the Premier League of concealing third-party payments by disguising them as sponsorship income.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is among those who have had to deliver messages, as has his predecessor Richard Scudamore.

Officials must hand over all communications from 2009 mentioning City.

Masters’ predecessor Richard Scudamore must also hand over notices mentioning City

City have taken legal action against the Premier League. City says the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules are illegal and is seeking to have them thrown out.

Under APT, introduced after the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle in 2021, clubs will be banned from blowing up sponsorship deals with companies linked to their owners. Instead, all deals must be independently deemed to have a ‘fair market value’ (FMV).

Manchester City will discover their fate over their 115 alleged breaches of financial rules after a hearing starting in November

The city is facing 115 charges related to violations of FFP rules and regulations, dating back to 2009 and continuing through 2018.

The hearing on City’s charges is expected to last six weeks. It will be strictly confidential, meaning the media will have no knowledge of the case until a verdict is reached.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won the last four Premier League titles in a row, could face huge fines and even relegation if found guilty.

The two-week hearing into City’s legal action against the league begins on Monday.