English football has been hit by the largest liability finding in Premier League history: Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them, according to reporting by The Athletic on Friday.
The verdict
An independent commission upheld virtually the entire case against the club, clearing City on only one of the 115 counts, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported, with The Times also carrying the news. The sanctions have not been decided yet, but the league's disciplinary rules allow financial penalties, points deductions, suspension — and even expulsion, which can be recommended.
What the charges covered
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 after a four-year investigation into alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018. The case broke down into five categories: 54 charges over inaccurate financial information supplied between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons; 14 over inaccurate reporting of player and manager pay; seven over profitability and sustainability rules; five over UEFA's financial rules; and 35 over failing to cooperate with the investigation between December 2018 and February 2023.
City's response
Manchester City, currently top of the Premier League after five matches, have consistently denied wrongdoing. A club spokesperson said "the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed," and maintained the club's position since February 2023. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told supporters the process still had "a long way to run" and said the club remained confident of proving its innocence. City are expected to appeal, and both sides have 14 days to challenge the decision.
The Premier League declined to comment, citing confidentiality.
Sources: Times of India: Manchester City found guilty on 114 financial charges | Times Now: Manchester City found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges | Shafaq News: What Manchester City guilty verdict means
The verdict
An independent commission upheld virtually the entire case against the club, clearing City on only one of the 115 counts, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported, with The Times also carrying the news. The sanctions have not been decided yet, but the league's disciplinary rules allow financial penalties, points deductions, suspension — and even expulsion, which can be recommended.
What the charges covered
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 after a four-year investigation into alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018. The case broke down into five categories: 54 charges over inaccurate financial information supplied between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons; 14 over inaccurate reporting of player and manager pay; seven over profitability and sustainability rules; five over UEFA's financial rules; and 35 over failing to cooperate with the investigation between December 2018 and February 2023.
City's response
Manchester City, currently top of the Premier League after five matches, have consistently denied wrongdoing. A club spokesperson said "the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed," and maintained the club's position since February 2023. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told supporters the process still had "a long way to run" and said the club remained confident of proving its innocence. City are expected to appeal, and both sides have 14 days to challenge the decision.
The Premier League declined to comment, citing confidentiality.
Sources: Times of India: Manchester City found guilty on 114 financial charges | Times Now: Manchester City found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges | Shafaq News: What Manchester City guilty verdict means