Manchester City found guilty of 114 financial breaches as huge Premier League verdict finally arrives

Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial rule breaches brought against them by the Premier League, bringing a major development in one of English football’s longest-running cases.

The verdict comes more than three years after the Premier League charged City over alleged breaches covering a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

However, the case is not over yet. Sanctions have still to be decided, with City expected to appeal the verdict. Possible punishments include a fine, a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League.

The charges were first announced in February 2023, when the Premier League accused City of breaching its financial rules and failing to cooperate with its investigations.

City have strongly denied all wrongdoing throughout the process.

The allegations relate to a period in which the club won three Premier League titles under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, meaning the case has cast a long shadow over some of the most successful years in the club’s history.

A 12-week hearing was held before a three-person independent commission between September and December 2024.

After months of evidence and then a lengthy wait for the outcome, the commission has now delivered its verdict.

City expected to appeal

Manchester City immediately maintained that the process remains ongoing and stressed its belief that the club has been treated fairly.

A statement from the club read: “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.

“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.”

When the original charges were announced in 2023, City said they were surprised by the allegations and welcomed the opportunity for an independent commission to examine the case.

“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position,” the club said at the time.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

The Premier League, meanwhile, alleged that City had breached rules requiring clubs to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.

Guardiola had backed City

Pep Guardiola, who managed City from 2016 until his departure in May, had previously made clear that he trusted the club’s position.

“I trust them,” Guardiola said.

“I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened… There will be a resolution, but nobody from the staff, of the backroom staff or mainly the players and the manager was here.”

There has been no suggestion that Guardiola was aware of any alleged wrongdoing during the period covered by the charges.

Guardiola left the club after another hugely successful spell in charge, while Enzo Maresca has since taken over.

Maresca himself had previously indicated that he was not concerned by the continued wait for a verdict.

“The only thing I can say is three years ago, the treble season, I was here, and it was the same words about this,” he said in July.

“In three years, it’s still the same. Nothing has happened. I don’t have any concerns, personally.”

Now, after years of allegations, hearings and waiting, the commission has finally delivered its verdict.

But with the punishment still to come and an appeal expected, the Manchester City saga is far from finished.