Manchester City’s long-running financial case appears to have reached a decision, and according to reports, it’s not the one the club wanted. Several outlets reported on 25 September that an independent commission had found City guilty on 115 of the 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules.
The Premier League has not confirmed the Man City 115 charges verdict. “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all,” the League said. City’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, responded the next day, insisting the club remains confident of proving its innocence.
How we got here
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 after a four-year investigation. The charges cover the seasons from 2009-10 to 2022-23 and fall into several groups:
- Failing to provide accurate financial information, including about sponsorship income
- Not accurately reporting manager and player pay
- Breaching UEFA’s club licensing and financial fair play rules
- Breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules
- Failing to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigation
The “115” figure is large partly because many charges repeat the same alleged breach across several seasons.
The independent hearing ran from 16 September to 6 December 2024. The decision has taken almost two years to arrive.
What Al Mubarak said
Al Mubarak didn’t confirm or discuss the reported verdict, citing confidentiality. But his message to fans was defiant.
“Our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began,” he said. He stressed that “the Premier League process still has a long way to run” and that “nothing has changed.”
“We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed,” he added.
What punishments are possible
No sanctions have been announced. Legal experts say the options range from a transfer ban at the lighter end to a points deduction, and even expulsion from the Premier League at the most severe.
Recent cases show the League is willing to act. Everton were docked 8 points in 2023-24 and Nottingham Forest 4 points in March 2024, both for much smaller breaches of spending rules.
Why the appeal matters
City are widely expected to appeal any guilty finding. Punishments aren’t normally applied until the appeal process has finished, so City’s league status isn’t under immediate threat. The case could go on for months.
What’s next on the pitch
City’s season continues. Al Mubarak pointed to upcoming games, a trip to Anfield and a Champions League home match against PSG, as chances for players and fans to pull together.
FAQ
Have Man City been found guilty of the 115 charges?
Reports say they were found guilty of 115 of the 115. Neither the Premier League nor City has confirmed this.
What could Man City’s punishment be?
Options range from fines and transfer bans to points deductions or, in the most severe case, expulsion. No sanctions have been announced.
Will Man City appeal?
They are widely expected to. Al Mubarak said the process “still has a long way to run.”
When were Man City charged?
In February 2023, covering the seasons from 2009-10 to 2022-23.
Sources: Al Jazeera; Sky Sports; beIN SPORTS.
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