Manchester City have been charged with 100 separate breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations, with an independent commission set to determine whether the reigning champions are guilty of an unprecedented level of rule-breaking.
And should that be the case the Abu Dhabi-owned club could end up facing expulsion from the top tier of English football. The alleged breaches date back to the 2009/10 season and confirmation of the charges has arrived after four years of investigation by the league.
City said that it was "surprised" by the decision and there was "irrefutable evidence" in support of their position. They have previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing. So what happens now as English football veers into new territory?
