Manchester City are found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges relating to financial rule breaches.
Manchester City (2.55) have been found guilty on almost all charges relating to Premier League financial breaches. The club is expected to appeal, with sanctions yet to be determined by an independent commission.
A Verdict Years In The Making
City were found guilty on all but one of the 115 original charges. Sources close to the matter spoke anonymously given strict confidentiality around the process. The Premier League first charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation.
That investigation began after German outlet Der Spiegel published leaked financial documents in 2018. City responded to the verdict by reaffirming their long-standing position on the matter.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years,” a City spokesperson said.
What City Were Accused Of
The charges covered alleged breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. They included failing to provide accurate financial information across nine separate seasons. Further charges alleged City did not fully disclose payments made to manager Roberto Mancini.
Additional charges concerned undisclosed player remuneration, including payments involving former midfielder Yaya Toure. City also faced 30 charges of failing to cooperate fully with the Premier League’s investigation. Those non-cooperation charges spanned five seasons, from 2018-19 through 2022-23.
A History Of Legal Battles
UEFA previously banned City from European competition for two years back in 2020. That ban, along with a €30 million fine, was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport months later. CAS did find City guilty of failing to cooperate with UEFA’s investigation, however.
That breach resulted in an £8.8 million fine deemed proportionate to the offence. City have won eight Premier League titles since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. Six of those titles arrived during the period covered by the current charges.
What Happens Next
The independent commission must now hold a separate hearing to determine sanctions. Possible punishments range from a simple reprimand through to expulsion from the league. Points deductions and heavy fines also remain firmly on the table.
Four rival clubs, including Arsenal (1.42) and Manchester United (1.74), have already reserved rights to seek compensation. Some clubs have calculated potential losses exceeding £100 million from missed Champions League qualification.
City’s rivals will watch the sanctions hearing closely for signs of how severely the club will be punished. Manager Enzo Maresca’s side currently top the table with five wins from five matches this season.
