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The Premier League was engaged in legal battles with five of its clubs last season The Premier League has warned its clubs that it spent more than £45m on legal bills last season due to various disputes over its financial regulations. The figure is contained in papers sent to clubs ahead of a shareholders' meeting on Thursday in central London. The league has been embroiled in a series of investigations, disciplinary arbitration processes, and appeals. Cases have involved Manchester City, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Leicester City. An independent commission hearing into more than 100 charges of alleged financial rule breaches by Manchester City, following a four-year investigation, is now into its second week. The champions deny wrongdoing. The hearing is expected to last 10 weeks. Clubs at Thursday's meeting could be told about any outcome in City's legal challenge over the league's Associated Party Transactions (APTs) rules, which were tightened earlier this year after being introduced in 2021. They regulate commercial deals between clubs and bodies linked to their owners. If an arbitration panel has found in City's favour, and the rules have to be amended, other clubs will have to be notified, although no formal announcement is expected. Sources have indicated that league bosses are likely to defend the spiralling legal costs - which are paid for from central funds - by emphasising the need to uphold rules and referring to the high number of recent cases. According to The Times, the league had budgeted for legal bills to only be around £8m. Follow your Premier League club and get news, analysis and fan views sent direct to you Man Utd held by Twente in disappointing Europa League opener Holders Liverpool hit five against West Ham From civilians to law enforcers How do they adapt to being thrown into the front line of the law? How did Manchester City become such an influential club? Find out how they have risen from 'Theatre of Comedy' to Premier League domination Fishing for old memories in new waters Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse muse together as they fish in stunning locations all over the UK How did Strictly Come Dancing come about? Co-creator and executive producer, Karen Smith, waltzes you through the glittering story Meet the record-breakers & future stars given EFL Cup chance Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference. Video Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference Heavyweight permutations - what next after Dubois' win? I will play second team in EFL Cup - Guardiola. Video I will play second team in EFL Cup - Guardiola A plane crash, fireworks disaster & car tragedy - how Twente shaped Ten Hag I've been told not to lift my kids up - Wood on injury Starc removes Salt & Duckett in second over. Video Starc removes Salt & Duckett in second over Fearnley not obsessed about breaking into top 100 England's Brook gets first ODI century Video England's Brook gets first ODI century F1 Q&A: Are there problems between drivers and the FIA? 'Celtic hold a royal flush, Rangers a pair of twos' How injured Rodri's absence could hurt Man City's trophy quest What does 'momentous' Friedkin takeover mean for Everton? Exploring the 'dark arts' in Man City v Arsenal 'Mentally, physically & tactically, Arsenal show why they are a force' Red card chaos and Haaland 'housery' - MOTD analysis. Video Red card chaos and Haaland 'housery' - MOTD analysis 'It took inspired brilliance to beat Mc Ilroy at Wentworth' Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua. Video Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua 'Young pretender Dubois legitimises world title reign' © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.