Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges brought against the club by the English Premier League (EPL), marking a major development in the long-running financial case that has overshadowed the club’s recent success.
Philips News reports that the verdict comes more than three years after the Englis Premier League formally charged Manchester City over alleged breaches of its financial regulations.
Thi newspaper understands that the sanctions have yet to be determined, with the club facing potential punishment that could include a fine, points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League.
The English Premier League accused Manchester City in February 2023 of breaching financial rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. The charges also included an allegation that the club failed to cooperate with the league’s investigation into its finances.
However, Manchester City have consistently denied the allegations and maintained that they had not committed any wrongdoing. The charges relate to a period in which the club won three Premier League titles, putting renewed focus on the circumstances surrounding those successes.
A 12-week hearing was held in front of a three-person independent commission between September and December of 2024. Now we finally have a verdict after years of radio silence.
A City statement to The Athletic read: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
The statement released by City back in February 2023 read: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
City maintained that their case was supported by a ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence’.
Meanwhile, PhilipsNews reports that the Premier League claimed that City breached rules which required the club to provide ‘accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT POSSIBLE MAN CITY PUNISHMENTS:
- Nature of the charges: Manchester City faced 115 Premier League charges, primarily for disguising player and manager pay and failing to provide accurate financial information between 2009 and 2018. The club was also accused of non-cooperation with investigations and breaking UEFA’s financial fair play rules, with reports indicating they have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges.
- Investigation timeline: The Premier League formally charged the club in February 2023 after conducting a comprehensive four-year investigation into its finances. Following a private 12-week hearing in late 2024, an independent commission reviewed the extensive volume of evidence to render a decision, though City maintain innocence and retain the option to appeal.
- Points deductions (or demotion): The most likely sporting penalty would be a major, unprecedented points reduction. Financial experts suggest this deduction could range from 40 to 60 points because the violations span a nine-year timeframe, though automatic relegation has also been suggested.
- Stripping of trophies: Significant debate surrounds whether the Premier League might retroactively strip the three league titles City earned during the period under scrutiny if points penalties are applied to past seasons. Although such a step is extreme and lacks precedent, it remains a possibility if the commission finds the financial breaches fundamentally undermined competition.
- Financial penalties: Beyond any sporting penalties, the independent commission could issue substantial monetary fines to penalise the club heavily for its infractions. Additionally, rival Premier League clubs could potentially initiate arbitration to claim financial compensation if they suffered direct sporting or financial losses as a result.
- Exclusion from competitions: The ultimate severe sanction is total expulsion from the Premier League, which would require the club to seek entry into the Football League system. While viewed as a less probable outcome, demotion stays on the table—either as an explicit penalty or as the natural outcome of a massive points cut.
- Open rules: Provision W.51 of the Premier League rulebook details the array of available punishments. The panel holds the authority to combine multiple penalties and may impose any additional measures it deems suitable.
