Manchester City found guilty on almost all Premier League financial charges, report claims

Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules on almost all of the charges brought against them, according to a report by The Athletic published on Friday. The verdict, from an independent commission appointed to examine more than 115 alleged breaches, marks one of the most consequential rulings in the history of English football.

City were first charged in February 2023 following a four-year Premier League investigation into the club’s financial conduct. The club consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the process and, in a statement released following the report, a Manchester City spokesperson described the Premier League process as “ongoing” and subject to “strict confidentiality”.

“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,” the spokesperson added.

According to The Athletic, sanctions have not yet been determined, and City are expected to lodge an appeal. The Premier League had not released an official statement at the time of publication, though one was understood to be imminent.

The timing adds significant weight to the verdict. City currently sit top of the Premier League after five games of the new season, meaning any eventual sanctions — which could range from points deductions to fines or other penalties — carry immediate sporting implications for the title race and for rival clubs.

The case has been widely regarded as the most significant legal proceeding in the sport’s history in England, with its outcome expected to shape how financial regulations are enforced across the Premier League for years to come. The full scope of consequences will only become clear once sanctions are formally set and any appeal process runs its course.