Premier League finds Manchester City guilty of all financial rule breaches
An independent commission concluded Manchester City breached Premier League financial regulations between 2009-10 and 2017-18, with sanctions to be decided in a separate hearing.
The Premier League has confirmed that Manchester City was found guilty of every charge relating to breaches of its financial rules covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. An independent commission determined the club used sham commercial contracts to disguise more than £830 million in secret funding, inflating revenues and reducing costs.
The report, released in a redacted form, said the alleged violations spanned over 100 individual breaches across four categories, with the only charge not upheld relating to non-cooperation with the investigation. The commission described the sponsorship agreements as “shams, or at minimum did not reflect their economic substance,” and said the scheme allowed the club to avoid recording what would have been the largest single-season loss in Premier League history in 2009-10.
"The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said.
"It also vindicates the Premier League's decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently."
The league added that sanctions will be addressed in a separate hearing, which will be private and confidential. Manchester City has until 2 October to lodge an appeal.
Culture, Media & Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy described the report as “incredibly serious” and said it is causing concern among fans of the club and the league.