Collymore calls for trophy expungement and expulsion as City found guilty on 114 of 115 financial charges

Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of 115 financial charges brought by the Premier League, in what has been described as one of the most significant verdicts in English football history. The club, which has consistently maintained its innocence throughout the eight-year process, confirmed it intends to appeal the outcome. No sanction has yet been determined.

The charges against City include 54 allegations of failing to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information between 2009 and 2018, 14 alleged breaches relating to inaccurate financial reports on player and manager compensation, and additional counts suggesting the club was not cooperative during the investigation.

Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore was among the first to respond publicly, calling for sweeping consequences should City’s appeal fail. “If City’s appeal fails then every trophy should be expunged from the records, removal from Premier League and EFL, a crippling fine and denial of fit and proper ownership,” he wrote on social media. “Biggest football story arguably in English football history.”

A club spokesperson acknowledged the verdict while stressing that the process is not yet complete. “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” the statement read. “Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.”

The spokesperson added that City had “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 charges were first announced in 2023, City said they were “surprised” but welcomed “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.”

Potential punishments available to the independent commission range from a financial fine to a points deduction or, at the most severe end, expulsion from the league — the outcome Collymore is advocating.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak had previously signalled he would speak more openly once a ruling was delivered. “Once we have a ruling, believe me, we’re going to have a wonderful sit down together and I’ll say everything I’ve wanted to say for the last three years,” he said in May.