Manchester City have been found guilty of the majority of financial rule breaches, according to a verdict reached two years and ten days after the hearing began. The Athletic broke the story, and BBC Sport later confirmed the verdict was sent to club executives, who signed a non-disclosure agreement to open the file.
City’s statement on the matter made no mention of guilt, only that the “process remains ongoing” with an appeal expected. The Premier League has remained silent publicly.
The Verdict Leaked
The saga over Manchester City’s 115 charges has dragged on for years. The club was charged 1,329 days ago, and the hearing stretched across two years and ten days before a verdict emerged. The leak via the Athletic shows just how porous the secrecy became once the circle of trust expanded.
City have consistently denied the charges over many years, and they remain adamant they have done nothing wrong.
What the Charges Cover
The charges relate to breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) across seven separate counts in the league alone, plus five related to Uefa competitions. There are also allegations of inflated sponsorship revenue channelled through the club’s accounts, payments to players and managers, and a failure to comply with investigations.
Everton were docked six points, reduced to ten on appeal, and then two points in separate cases for PSR breaches. Nottingham Forest were deducted four points. Those were considered minor breaches, while City faced far more serious charges.
The Penalty Question
The key question is whether any punishment will be applied this season. The charges have been denied, so a sanction hearing will convene, but it could still be months away, with the result not published until the appeal is completed.
A points deduction now appears inevitable, though it depends on the appeal. If City lose, the penalty could be large, and it could be backdated to this season.
What Happens to the Competition
The Premier League as a whole faces uncertainty. If City win the league this season, and a penalty is handed down later, what happens to the title? If Coventry finish third from bottom and would have stayed up with the deduction applied, the league’s integrity is at stake.
There is a strong argument that a sanctioning agreement is the cleanest way out, but that would require negotiating with City, who would presumably want a lesser punishment.
The Appeal Process
The usual process is that any points penalty is applied immediately, subject to appeal. A large deduction could effectively be relegation, while revoking City’s membership of the Premier League mid-season is uncharted territory.
Clubs seeking legal advice over Man City charges compensation adds another layer of chaos. The situation could spiral out of control.
Scenarios Ahead
Here is how the situation could unfold:
| Scenario | Timing of Punishment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Announced This Season | Months away | Appeal pending, no immediate change |
| Punishment Levied This Season | Points applied immediately | Appeal pending, league affected |
Key Facts Box
- Verdict reached two years and ten days after hearing began
- Club charged 1,329 days ago
- Majority of financial rule breaches found guilty
- Seven Premier League PSR charges, five Uefa charges
- Appeal expected
- City deny all charges
The saga is far from over. City fans, and the rest of football, are left guessing what the punishment might be and when it might arrive. The Premier League’s silence has continued throughout, but the Athletic’s report has broken the news. The question now is whether anyone can fix the mess before the season ends.
Source material: “Why Premier League faces uncertainty and chaos after Man City ruling,” the BBC.
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