Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided—-An independent commission has reportedly ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the Premier League’s financial charges, but sanctions are yet to be decided as the club prepares to appeal.
Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League, according to reports from The Athletic and The Times, in a major development that could have significant consequences for English football.
The verdict comes more than three years after the Premier League formally charged Manchester City following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances.
An independent commission is understood to have reached its decisions on the allegations, which cover several seasons dating back to the 2009-10 campaign. City have consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the case.
However, no sanction has yet been decided.
Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings, meaning the long-running case is now moving into another stage. Sky Sports reports that the process is moving towards an appeal, while the Premier League has declined to comment because the proceedings remain private and confidential.
What Were Manchester City Accused Of?
The Premier League’s original case against City included allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period.
The charges included alleged failures to accurately report revenue, operating costs and sponsorship income, as well as allegations concerning payments made to players and managers.
The Premier League also accused City of breaches relating to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and its own Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
A separate set of allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The case was formally referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a Premier League investigation that lasted several years.
City Maintain Their Position
Manchester City have repeatedly rejected the allegations and continue to maintain their position that the process has not yet been completed.
Following reports of the verdict, a City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. The club also reiterated its previous position from February 2023.
The Premier League has also refused to publicly confirm the reported findings.
A league spokesperson told Reuters: “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”
Sanctions Yet to Be Decided
Despite the reported guilty findings, Manchester City have not been punished at this stage.
The exact sanctions, if any, will depend on the next stage of the proceedings. Possible punishments discussed during the case have included financial penalties and sporting sanctions, but no specific punishment has been confirmed.
That means there is currently no confirmed points deduction, relegation, expulsion or stripping of previous titles.
Any such outcome would have to come through the formal disciplinary process and could also be affected by City’s expected appeal.
Appeal Could Extend the Case
The reported verdict is therefore not necessarily the final word on the matter.
Manchester City are expected to challenge the findings, with Sky Sports reporting that the inquiry is moving towards the appeal stage.
The original hearing lasted 12 weeks, concluding in December 2024, after which the independent commission spent considerable time considering the extensive evidence.
The case has become one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the outcome potentially affecting the club’s sporting and financial standing.
For now, the key development is the reported 114 guilty findings from 115 charges.
But with sanctions still undecided, the verdict not publicly released by the Premier League and an appeal expected, Manchester City’s lengthy financial case is far from over.