Premier League officials have been told to disclose texts, e-mails and WhatsApp messages mentioning Manchester City.  

As reported by The Times, the process is taking place prior to the hearing into the 115 charges facing City, which is due to be held in November.

City, who deny any wrongdoing, have been accused by the Premier League of concealing payments through third parties by hiding them as sponsorship revenue.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is amongst those who have had to hand over messages, as is his predecessor Richard Scudamore.

Officials have to hand over all communications dating back to 2009 which mention City.  

Premier League officials including chief executive Richard Masters must hand over all communications mentioning Manchester City

City have launched legal action against the Premier League. City say the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules are unlawful and are seeking to have them thrown out.

Under APT, introduced following the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle in 2021, clubs are stopped from inflating sponsorship deals with firms who are linked to their owners. Instead, all deals have to be independently deemed to be of ‘fair market value’ (FMV).

City face 115 charges related to breaches of FFP rules and regulations, which date  back to 2009 and go through to 2018.

The hearing over City's charges is expected to last six weeks. It will be strictly confidential, which means that media outlets won't have any knowledge of the case until a verdict is reached.

Pep Guardiola's side, who have won the last four Premier League titles in succession, could face huge fines and even relegation if they are found guilty.  

The two-week hearing into City's legal action against the league is set to commence on Monday.