Manchester City found guilty of 114 out of 115 Premier League financial rule breaches, appeal pending
An independent commission concluded that Manchester City violated 114 of the 115 financial regulations alleged by the Premier League, and the club says it will appeal the decision.
Manchester City has been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, according to a report citing an independent commission’s findings. The club, which has consistently denied any wrongdoing, said it will appeal the verdict, noting that the Premier League’s disciplinary process remains confidential and ongoing.
The Premier League declined to comment on the specifics of the ruling, with a spokesperson stating the matter is a confidential process. The investigation, launched in February 2023, examined alleged violations spanning the 2009-10 to 2022-23 seasons, including claims that the club failed to provide accurate financial information on sponsorship revenue and operating costs.
"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality," the club said in a statement to British media.
Former City midfielder Rodri, now with Barcelona, expressed confidence in the club’s position, saying he trusts the team’s adherence to the rules and believes the players share that belief.
"Hopefully, justice can be done, whatever happens obviously, but I trust in the impunity of that club which I know very well. And they always transmitted their confidence that they’d done everything correctly," he told a press conference.
Legal representation for City was led by lawyer David Pannick, while the Premier League was represented by Adam Lewis. The hearing began on September 16, 2024, and concluded on December 6, 2024, before a three-member independent commission appointed by the Premier League Judicial Panel.
The potential sanctions remain uncertain. Legal experts note that penalties could range from a transfer ban to more severe measures such as league expulsion, depending on the panel’s assessment and any subsequent appeal. The case follows previous financial rule breaches by other clubs, including point deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Caroline Dinenage, chair of Britain’s Culture, Media and Sport select committee, called for due process to be respected while urging a swift conclusion, citing the broader implications for the sport’s financial fairness.
"The reports ... have profound implications for our national game. The extraordinary length and cost of this process raise serious concerns, and the affair again gives rise to questions about financial fairness across the football pyramid," she said.
The verdict marks one of the most significant rulings in English football history, with the outcome likely to shape future enforcement of financial regulations across the league.