On Thursday, 14 November, in an 11-page letter seen by the BBC, the Premier League wrote to Manchester City, saying it “rejects in the strongest possible terms the repeated and baseless assertions” that “either the league or its representatives have acted in any way contrary to the league’s obligations as a regulator, or has ‘misled’ clubs.

“To the contrary, the league is well aware of, and takes very seriously, its obligations to act fairly and with an open mind,” it added.

The league said it has “acted fairly, transparently and responsibly in circulating considered proposals for consultation in a prompt manner”.

It continued: “Throughout the consultation, the league has reflected upon all feedback provided by clubs, including from MCFC, and sought the opinion of leading counsel to consider the proposals.

“That MCFC does not agree with the proposed amendments, or with the timing of the process being undertaken, does not mean the consultation itself is deficient or that the league has failed to comply with its obligations as a regulator.”

The letter added that the fact that City “does not agree with the process does not provide a credible basis to impugn it”.

Referring to a suggestion by City’s lawyers that it may seek an injunction, the Premier League stated “such threats are meritless, and advanced without any attempt to articulate a credible ground on which MCFC could seek to restrain the consultation process”.

The Premier League also accuse City of “a tendentious and inaccurate interpretation” of the minutes of a call held with clubs last month.