Manchester City found guilty on 'almost all' Premier League charges

Manchester City were charged with an 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of most of their alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, a verdict which could send shockwaves through the league and have an impact on Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

The Athletic reports that a guilty verdct has been reached on all but one of the charges. Sanctions haven't been decided and the club are expected to appeal the decision, which will delay any final outcome.

It's further reported by TalkSPORT that all of City's 19 Premier League rivals have been informed of the guilty verdict.

In a statement, a City spokesperson said: “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.

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“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 have always vehmently denied the charges, over 115 alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018. The charges were brought to the club three years ago, with the case being heard between September 16 and December 6, 2024.

Among the charges are 54 allegations of failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information. There were another 14 charges for failing to provide accurate financial reports on player and manager compensation.

Almost two years after the hearing ended, it seems that a decision has been reached by the independent panel. Potential punsihments set out in the Premier League's handbook range from fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the league.

In previous cases concerning Everton and Nottingham Forest, who were both found guilty of breaching the rules, a points deduction punishment was used. That was however for a single breach, compared to City's reported 114 breaches.

Any points deduction could potentially be handed out retrospectively, meaning that the club could be stripped of Premier League titles. A deduction could also be applied when the decision is made, as was the case with Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Speaking on the situation last month, Premier League chief Richard Masters admitted that the situation has dragged on much longer than he expected.

"Our rules are very clear about that - I have to keep everything confidential until we're ready to hand down a decision and be clear about it," he said. "I can't give any update on timing or what's happening.

"There's only one available route through this, which is to allow the process to take its course. It has taken longer than expected, and I do understand the frustrations.

"I've already said the commission need the time and the space to do their job," he added. "In the end, the Premier League's role is to put allegations, if the evidence is strong enough, in front of an independent commission and allow that commission to establish the truth, and that shouldn't be qualified by the amount of time it takes to get there."