Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 out of 115 Premier League charges relating to alleged breaches of the competition’s financial regulations.
The reported verdict, first published by The Athletic on Friday, follows a lengthy independent hearing into the club’s finances. Manchester City are expected to appeal, while no punishment has yet been determined.
The Premier League has not officially confirmed the reported outcome, saying the process remains confidential. City, meanwhile, maintain that the case is still ongoing.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” a Manchester City spokesperson said.
The club also said its position remained consistent with its February 2023 statement and that it had respected due process throughout the proceedings.
How the case started
The Premier League referred Manchester City to an independent commission in February 2023 following an investigation into alleged financial breaches.
The allegations cover several seasons beginning in 2009 and include claims that the club failed to provide accurate financial information concerning revenue and operating costs, as well as allegations relating to player and coach payments and financial sustainability regulations.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing.
The independent hearing began in September 2024 and concluded in December of that year, with the commission examining evidence relating to the extensive list of allegations.
Punishment yet to be decided
Despite the reported guilty findings, Manchester City have not yet been handed a sporting sanction.
The next stage will involve determining what consequences, if any, should follow the commission’s findings. The club is also expected to appeal.
Possible punishments have been widely discussed throughout the case, including points deductions and other sporting sanctions, but no specific punishment has been announced at this stage. (Morocco World News)
The case has attracted significant attention because of Manchester City’s success during the period under investigation.
Since Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group acquired the club in 2008, City have won eight Premier League titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League.
The reported verdict therefore represents a major development in one of the longest-running financial cases in Premier League history, although the final outcome remains subject to the next stages of the process and any appeal.
Source: The Athletic
