The English Premier League on Monday referred Manchester City to an independent commission over the alleged rule breaches between 2009/10 and 2017/18 -- a period in which the club took their first steps towards becoming English football's dominant force.

City, who last month topped the Deloitte money league of the world's richest clubs, said they were surprised by the charges and insisted there was "irrefutable" evidence that supports their case. 

The club was banned for two years from UEFA competitions in February 2020 by European football's governing body for "serious financial fair-play breaches," but the sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later that year.

In a statement, the Premier League said the alleged breaches relate to the reporting of accurate financial information, the submission of details of manager and player pay information, a club's responsibility to adhere to UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and to the league's own profitability and sustainability regulations.

City are also accused of allegedly breaching rules requiring them to cooperate and assist with the Premier League's investigations.

They issued a statement saying they were "surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL (English Premier League) has been provided with."

"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position," the statement indicated.

The club is alleged to have breached league rules requiring provision "in utmost good faith" of "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position."

The second set of breaches listed refers to the alleged breaking of rules "requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager" related to seasons 2009/10 to 2012/13 inclusive.

The second set of alleged breaches also refers to requirements for a club to include full details of player remuneration within the relevant contracts, for the seasons 2010/11 to 2015/16 inclusive.

The third section deals with alleged breaches of Premier League rules requiring clubs to comply with UEFA FFP regulations and the fourth set of alleged breaches relate to the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules.

Finally, the club is alleged to have breached league rules requiring member clubs to cooperate with and assist the Premier League with its investigations, from December 2018 to date.