Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against the club by the Premier League, with sanctions yet to be determined.
The reported verdict comes after a lengthy independent commission process concerning alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations covering the period from 2009 to 2018. According to The Athletic, one of the 115 charges was dismissed, while the remaining 114 were upheld.
The Premier League originally charged Manchester City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club's finances. The allegations covered nine seasons and included claims relating to the provision of accurate financial information, player and manager payments, compliance with UEFA financial regulations, the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, and cooperation with the league's investigation.
The independent commission hearing began in September 2024 and concluded in December of that year. The case then remained without a publicly announced decision for an extended period, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters previously acknowledging that the process had taken longer than expected.
The reported finding represents a major development in one of the longest-running financial cases involving a Premier League club. However, the outcome does not yet determine what punishment Manchester City will receive.
The sanctions remain to be decided, and reports indicate that all possible disciplinary measures remain under consideration. The Premier League's rules allow for a range of potential sanctions in financial cases, meaning the reported guilty findings alone do not establish whether the club will face a points deduction, financial penalty, restrictions or another form of punishment.
Manchester City have consistently denied the allegations and maintained that they did not breach the Premier League's regulations. Following the reported verdict, a club spokesperson said the Premier League process remained ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to confidentiality.
The club is also expected to appeal the commission's findings, meaning the reported decision may not represent the final stage of the dispute.
The charges relate to a period during which Manchester City underwent a significant transformation following the club's 2008 takeover and subsequently became one of the dominant teams in English football. The club won three Premier League titles between 2009 and 2018, while later adding several more league championships and major European honours.
The case has therefore attracted considerable attention because of its potential implications for the club and the Premier League's approach to enforcing its financial regulations.
For now, the confirmed development is the reported independent commission finding on 114 of the 115 charges. The final sanctions and the outcome of any appeal remain unresolved.
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