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Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against the club by the Premier League, marking a major development in one of the most significant disciplinary cases in English football.
The verdict, reported by The Athletic and subsequently confirmed by Reuters and other major outlets, was delivered by an independent commission following a lengthy legal process surrounding alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. City are expected to appeal the verdict, while the sanctions, if any, have not yet been determined.
The case dates back to February 2023, when the Premier League formally referred Manchester City to an independent commission following an investigation that had begun several years earlier. The allegations cover a prolonged period of the club’s history and relate primarily to financial reporting, sponsorship revenue, player and manager remuneration, compliance with financial regulations and the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The Premier League’s original announcement in February 2023 said the alleged breaches covered seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18 in relation to the provision of accurate financial information, including revenue, sponsorship income, related-party transactions and operating costs. The wider case also included allegations concerning UEFA financial regulations, Premier League profitability and sustainability requirements and cooperation with the league’s investigation.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and have maintained that they possess evidence capable of disproving the allegations. When the charges were first announced, the club said it was surprised by the Premier League’s action and welcomed the opportunity for an independent commission to examine what it described as a comprehensive body of evidence supporting its position.
The independent hearing eventually took place between September and December 2024. Because of the complexity and confidentiality surrounding the proceedings, the publication of the verdict took considerably longer than many expected. As recently as August 2026, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters acknowledged that the process had taken longer than anticipated but said the league could not provide a timetable because of the independent nature and confidentiality of the proceedings.
The reported finding that City were guilty on 114 of the 115 charges represents a significant development, but it is important to distinguish the verdict from the final outcome of the case. No sanctions have yet been announced. Reports indicate that the club has the right to appeal, meaning the legal process may continue even after the independent commission’s decision.
The potential consequences have been widely discussed since the charges were first announced, but specific punishment cannot be presented as settled until the relevant authorities determine the sanctions and any appeal process is completed. Possible sporting and financial consequences have been debated by football lawyers and analysts, but the final decision remains outstanding.
Manchester City have also issued a response to the latest development, maintaining that the Premier League process remains ongoing and that significant elements of the proceedings are still to be completed under strict confidentiality. The club reiterated its longstanding position that it has respected due process and expects the Premier League’s regulatory process to operate independently and fairly.
The development comes after a period in which City have continued to compete at the highest level of English and European football while the case remained unresolved. The uncertainty surrounding the charges has followed the club through several seasons and has continued to generate intense interest among supporters, rival clubs and football observers.
For Manchester City, the immediate focus will now turn to the appeal process and the eventual determination of sanctions. For the Premier League, the case represents a major test of its financial regulations and disciplinary framework.
The significance of the verdict therefore extends beyond the 114 charges themselves. Until any appeal is concluded and sanctions are formally determined, the full sporting and financial consequences for Manchester City remain uncertain.
What is established at this stage is that an independent commission has reportedly found Manchester City guilty of 114 out of 115 charges, while the club disputes the allegations and is expected to challenge the verdict. The long-running case, which began with the Premier League’s formal charges in 2023, is therefore entering another potentially decisive phase.
