Manchester City has been found guilty of nearly all 115 charges in its long-running financial case. An independent commission ruled that the club seriously breached Premier League rules across nine seasons.
The decision covers the period from the 2009-10 season through 2017-18. Manchester City continues to deny wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
Manchester City Financial Charges Explained
The Premier League announced the commission’s findings Tuesday, Sept. 29. The ruling followed a 12-week hearing that concluded in December 2024.
The league said City was guilty of every charge involving serious financial breaches. The commission also upheld most charges related to the club’s failure to cooperate with investigators.
The case involved the accuracy of financial information provided by City. It focused on sponsorship revenue, operating costs and payments connected to managers and players.
According to the commission, City used “sham” contracts and agreements with commercial partners. The arrangements artificially increased revenue while reducing reported costs.
The commission found that the schemes affected more than £900 million in financial reporting. It concluded that City intended to avoid Premier League financial rules.
Investigators also determined that accurate financial reporting would have revealed major breaches of domestic and UEFA spending regulations.
Club Found Guilty on Nearly All 115 Counts
The Premier League initially referred more than 100 alleged violations to the independent commission in February 2023. The case became widely known as the “115 charges.”
Sources stated that the commission upheld all but one of the charges. However, the Premier League organized the accusations into several broader categories.
Those categories included failures to provide accurate financial information and disclose full compensation details. They also covered breaches of profitability and UEFA financial rules.
City was further accused of obstructing the Premier League’s investigation. The commission found the club made coordinated efforts to delay or frustrate that process.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said the decision established what occurred during the nine-year period. He said the findings showed City “systematically broke” league rules for nearly a decade.
Manchester City Plans to Appeal
Manchester City rejected the ruling in a club statement. The team described itself as innocent and claimed the decision contained significant factual and legal errors.
City said it remains confident in the evidence supporting its position. The club also argued that important parts of the disciplinary process remain unfinished.
The club has until Friday, Oct. 2, to appeal the commission’s findings. An appeal would bring the case before a separate panel.
City previously overturned a two-year UEFA Champions League ban in 2020. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that some accusations were unproven or filed too late. However, that decision involved a separate UEFA case.
Sanctions Have Not Been Announced
The independent commission will hold another hearing to determine Manchester City’s punishment. No sanction had been announced when the guilty verdict became public.
Premier League rules allow several potential penalties. These include fines, points deductions or expulsion from the league.
The commission has not indicated which penalty it may select. Therefore, reports claiming City has already been relegated or stripped of titles remain inaccurate.
Any punishment could significantly affect the Premier League standings and the club’s future. It may also prompt compensation claims from other teams, although no such claims have been resolved.
The verdict marks a major moment for English soccer’s financial regulations. Supporters must now wait for the sanctions hearing and Manchester City’s expected appeal.