Manchester City Receives Verdict on 115 Premier League Charges
More than three years after the Premier League formally brought its case, an independent commission has reportedly found Manchester City guilty on 114 of the 115 charges related to breaches of financial regulations. The case, however, is still far from over.
The case that has followed Manchester City off the field for years has finally taken a decisive step forward.
According to information originally reported by The Athletic and subsequently reported by Reuters, an independent commission found the English club guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League over breaches of its financial regulations.
There is an important distinction to make before discussing punishments or consequences.
As of Friday, the Premier League had not officially published the ruling, and no sanction had been determined. The competition itself declined to comment to Reuters, while reports indicate that Manchester City intends to appeal the decision.
Therefore, while the reported outcome represents a significant blow for the club, it does not mean the process is over.
What Did the Premier League Accuse Manchester City Of?
To understand the magnitude of the case, it is necessary to go back to February 2023.
That was when the Premier League, following an investigation that lasted several years, referred a series of alleged breaches by Manchester City to an independent commission.
A central part of the case relates to the seasons between 2009/10 and 2017/18. The league argued that its rules required clubs to provide accurate financial information offering a true and fair view of their financial position, including revenue — such as sponsorship income — related-party transactions and operating costs.
The case also included issues related to manager and player remuneration, compliance with the financial regulations of UEFA and the Premier League, as well as allegations concerning the club’s cooperation during the investigation.
Therefore, this was not one alleged violation repeated 115 times, but a collection of charges covering different rules, seasons and financial obligations.
Manchester City Maintains the Process Is Not Over
The club’s position did not change after reports of the ruling emerged.
A Manchester City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, that important elements still need to be completed and that the matter remains subject to strict confidentiality rules.
The club also referred back to the position it adopted when the charges were announced in February 2023. From the beginning of the case, Manchester City has rejected the allegations and defended its conduct.
Now, another stage begins.
Reports indicate that the club is expected to appeal the independent commission’s ruling, meaning the initial outcome does not yet represent the final resolution of the entire process.
What Could Happen to Manchester City Now?
This is also where it is important to separate what has been confirmed from speculation.
For now, no punishment has been announced.
Premier League rules provide different disciplinary mechanisms depending on the breach and the corresponding decision, but it is still unknown what sanction could be imposed in this case.
It would therefore be premature to state that Manchester City will have points deducted, be relegated or be stripped of titles.
Those possibilities have been widely discussed since the proceedings began, but none of them has been confirmed as the punishment the club will receive. Reuters reports that the sanction has not yet been determined.
This case should also not be confused with the dispute between Manchester City and the Premier League over Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. That was a separate proceeding, and the two sides reached an agreement in September 2025, with the club accepting that the existing APT rules were valid and binding.
A Story That Has Not Reached Its Final Chapter
The news completely changes the landscape, but it does not yet write the final chapter.
The Premier League brought the charges in February 2023. More than three years later, an independent commission has reportedly ruled against Manchester City on virtually all of them, according to information originally published by The Athletic and subsequently reported by Reuters.
The full details of the ruling still need to be officially released, along with any corresponding sanction and the outcome of the club’s expected appeal.
Until then, any specific sporting consequence remains a possibility rather than a confirmed fact.
What does mark a major turning point is the scale of the reported ruling: Manchester City was found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges included in the case.
After years of investigation and waiting, one of the most significant financial proceedings in recent Premier League history has entered a new phase.
But it is not over yet.
- An independent commission has reportedly found Manchester City guilty on 114 of the 115 Premier League charges, according to information originally published by The Athletic and subsequently reported by Reuters.
- The original charges cover different obligations and periods, including financial information, revenue, remuneration, compliance with financial regulations and cooperation with the investigation.
- No punishment has been announced yet, and Manchester City maintains that the process is ongoing, while reports indicate that the club intends to appeal.
