Manchester City are reported to have been found liable on almost all of the Premier League financial-rule allegations brought against them, though no punishment has been formally announced and the club are expected to challenge the outcome.
The case remains under strict confidentiality, with significant detail still to be settled. City have maintained their denial of every charge since the process began, and their position has not changed following the reported ruling by an independent commission.
How the case developed
- The Premier League brought its charges against Manchester City in February 2023 after an investigation covering several seasons.
- The allegations said City had failed to provide accurate financial information, including proper details of payments made to players and managers, between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
- The club were also accused of breaching UEFA financial fair play rules from 2009 to 2018, as well as the Premier League’s own financial regulations between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
- A further allegation concerned a failure to co-operate with the league’s investigation from December 2018 until February 2023.
- An independent commission is now reported to have ruled against City in nearly every area under consideration, although the sanction process has yet to be completed.
City hold their ground
A City spokesperson said the Premier League process was ongoing, with important matters still unresolved, and stressed that the proceedings were confidential. The club said its stance remained the same as in its February 2023 statement.
City said they had spent eight years following due process, believing the Premier League board and executive should operate as an independent, impartial and fair regulator, without partisan influence.
The champions have consistently rejected the accusations and assembled leading sports lawyers in Britain to defend their position. An appeal is expected once the relevant decisions and sanctions are set out.
What could follow
No penalty has yet been confirmed. The range of possible consequences could extend from a financial fine to a points deduction, relegation or the removal of titles, depending on the eventual findings and any appeal.
