Man City found guilty on most of 115 Premier League charges
Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 Premier League financial rules they were charged with, sources told BBC Sport. The Athletic reported the club guilty on all but one count. Sanctions remain undecided, and Man City say the process is ongoing.
Key Takeaways
- Sources told BBC Sport that Man City were found guilty of the majority of 115 financial breaches; The Athletic said all but one count.
- Sanctions have not been decided, and other Premier League clubs are believed to have been informed of the decision.
- City released a statement saying the Premier League process “remains ongoing” and is subject to strict confidentiality.
- BBC Sport was told City will appeal if the findings go against them; the Premier League declined to comment.
The long-running case is moving from liability into the next phase. For more investigative coverage, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries hub.
What did the independent panel decide on Man City?
According to BBC Sport, Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking the majority of the 115 financial rules they were accused of breaching. The Athletic reported that the independent panel found the club guilty of all but one count, while sanctions remain undecided.
Other Premier League clubs are believed to have been informed about the decision. Asked whether the report was correct, City did not confirm or deny it. The Premier League declined to comment.
City’s statement said the process “remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.” The club said its position remains consistent with its February 2023 statement and that it has “diligently respected due process for eight years.”
What were the 115 Man City charges about?
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 after a multi-year investigation. The allegations relate to the period from 2009 to 2018. The league claimed City failed to provide accurate financial information that gave a true and fair view of the club’s finances.
BBC Sport has broken the 115 charges into five categories: 54 counts of failure to provide accurate financial information (2009-10 to 2017-18); 14 for inaccurate player and manager payment details; five for failing to comply with UEFA rules including Financial Fair Play; seven for Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules breaches; and 35 for failing to co-operate with league investigations from December 2018 to February 2023.
A 10-week behind-closed-doors hearing began in September 2024. City have strongly denied all charges throughout.
Can Man City be stripped of Premier League titles?
Sanctions have not been announced. BBC reporting notes the disciplinary panel has wide powers, and football finance experts say ramifications could be significant. Possible outcomes discussed by reporters and analysts include a fine, a points deduction, relegation-level sporting sanctions, expulsion from the Premier League, or even the prospect of titles being stripped.
BBC Sport has been told that, in the event of a defeat, Manchester City will appeal. Until sanctions are set and any appeal is resolved, the sporting and legal consequences for Man City remain unsettled.