Man City found guilty of 114 charges as club claims Premier League conspiracy

Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 financial charges brought by the Premier League, with an independent commission ruling the club arranged “sham contracts” with commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs over a nine-year period. The single charge not proven related to an alleged failure to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigation.

The Premier League’s statement, released on Tuesday, outlined the commission’s findings in stark terms, accusing City of “relying on sham agreements” to manipulate their financial position. The verdict follows years of legal proceedings that began in earnest with the club’s formal statement of February 2023.

City’s response was immediate and combative. CEO Ferran Soriano sent a video message to club staff alleging there is a “Premier League conspiracy theory” directed at the club — an extraordinary claim that signals the organisation intends to contest the outcome at every remaining stage of the process.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also addressed supporters and staff directly, acknowledging the “noise swirling around us” while insisting “nothing has changed.” In a personal statement, he wrote: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run. I have been part of this Club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul. This Club matters to me.”

A club spokesperson had moved quickly even before the official verdict was confirmed, issuing a statement that accused the Premier League Board and Executive of failing to act as “an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Beyond the club’s own reaction, the verdict has drawn comment from prominent outside voices. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and football finance expert Kieran Maguire have both offered assessments of the findings, with the case now drawing scrutiny well beyond the sport itself.

The question of punishment remains unresolved. With significant elements of the Premier League’s process still to be completed — including a separate hearing to determine sanctions — the full consequences for City will not be known for some time. The club has made clear it intends to fight at every stage, setting the stage for what could be a prolonged legal and regulatory battle with the governing body.