In the most significant ruling in English football history, Manchester City has been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported the outcome of the Premier League’s investigation, adding sanctions against Man City have not yet been decided and the club is expected to appeal the decision.
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The Verdict
An independent commission said Manchester City broke league rules to obtain an unfair advantage over rival clubs. Manchester City, the eight-time champion of the English Premier League, will face potential relegation, points deduction, fines or other types of discipline.
A verdict has been reached more than three-and-a-half years after 134 charges, which cover the seasons 2009-10 to 2022-23, were brought by the Premier League and more than two years since arbitration hearings began.
Premier League clubs were told of the outcome at a meeting of shareholders on Thursday and made to sign non-disclosure agreements.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Club | Manchester City |
| Total Charges | 115 |
| Found Guilty | 114 |
| Found Not Guilty | 1 |
| Charges Period | 2009-10 to 2022-23 |
| Sanctions | Not Yet Decided |
| Appeal | Expected |
| Possible Punishments | Points Deduction, Fine, Relegation |
| Announced By | Independent Commission |
The Nature of the Charges
Of the 115 charges, 80 are for breaches of regulations from 2009 to 2018 while the remaining 35 relate to failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The unprecedented catalogue of charges related to five distinct areas of alleged rule-breaking. More than 80 charges related to a club’s obligation to act in the utmost good faith when relaying information to the Premier League and to give complete disclosure of any information requested.
The root of the charges comes from leaked documents published by the German news magazine Der Spiegel in 2018.
Charges Breakdown Table
| Category | Number of Charges | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Rule Breaches | 80 | 2009–2018 |
| Failure to Cooperate with PL Investigation | 35 | Ongoing |
| Total Charges | 115 | 2009–2023 |
| Guilty Verdict | 114 | All Periods |
| Not Guilty | 1 | Unspecified |
Possible Sanctions
Possible sanctions against the club could be a points deduction, an unlimited fine, or even expulsion from the league entirely, according to the Premier League’s handbook.
The Premier League, which brought these allegations against City via 115 charges related to deceptive accounting and spending strategies, could now move to relegate City to a lower division.
Manchester City’s Response
A Manchester City spokesperson issued a statement saying: “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.”
City are surprised at the timing of the news as they say the process is ongoing.
The Appeal
Manchester City will appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. The appeal process is expected to be lengthy, meaning the final resolution of this case and any confirmed sanctions could be months away.
How Long the Process Has Taken
Premier League CEO Richard Masters told reporters before the start of the 2026-27 season that a verdict from the commission was taking “longer than anyone expected,” but the “one available outcome” was to “allow the process to reach its natural conclusion.”
The hearing eventually started in September 2024 and carried on until the end of that year.
What Manchester City Won During the Charged Period
From season 2009-10 to 2022-23 inclusive, City won seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, three FA Cups and six League Cups.
City won three Premier League titles during the period in which it was accused of breaking financial rules.
Trophy Haul During Charged Period
| Competition | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| Premier League | 7 |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 |
| FA Cup | 3 |
| League Cup | 6 |
The Broader Implications
The verdict is without precedent in the history of the English game. No club of Manchester City’s stature has ever faced a catalogue of charges of this scale. The implications extend well beyond City, raising serious questions about the integrity of results, title races and the reliability of the Premier League’s financial oversight during a period spanning more than a decade.
Other clubs that finished below City in the Premier League during those seasons may now have grounds to question the validity of those results, depending on what sanctions are ultimately handed down and whether any titles, points or positions are retrospectively adjusted.
FAQs
How many charges was Manchester City found guilty of?
Manchester City has been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
What sanctions could Manchester City face?
Possible sanctions against the club could be a points deduction, an unlimited fine, or even expulsion from the league entirely, according to the Premier League’s handbook.
Will Manchester City appeal the verdict?
No sanctions have been decided and the Manchester-based club is expected to appeal the decision, according to reports.
What period do the charges cover?
The charges cover the seasons 2009-10 to 2022-23 and were brought by the Premier League more than three-and-a-half years ago.
What trophies did Manchester City win during the charged period?
From season 2009-10 to 2022-23 inclusive, City won seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, three FA Cups and six League Cups.
