Man City decline to dismiss reports of adverse 115-charge ruling
Manchester City have declined to reject reports that an independent panel has reached a largely adverse verdict in the club’s long-running Premier League financial case, while maintaining that the confidential process has not yet concluded.
City and Premier League maintain confidentiality
Reports on Friday claimed that City had been found guilty on 114 of the 115 allegations brought by the Premier League. Neither City nor the league confirmed that outcome when contacted.
The Premier League said it would not discuss a process it considers private and confidential. City did not deny that it had been notified of a decision, but said substantial stages of the case were still to be completed.
In its statement, City said its stance had not changed from February 2023, when the charges were publicly announced. The club said it had followed due process over eight years and expected the Premier League’s board and executive to act independently, impartially and fairly.
City have continued to deny wrongdoing throughout the case.
Report of injunction is rejected
One account of Friday’s developments said City had sought an injunction to prevent the initial publication of the reported verdict. The club firmly denied that claim.
Any eventual finding of guilt would be open to appeal, with City expected to challenge such a decision. The range of possible sporting sanctions could include a financial penalty, a points deduction or, at the most severe end, removal from the Premier League.
- Premier League charges announced: February 2023
- Period covered by the alleged breaches: 2009 to 2018
- Independent hearing began: September 2024
- Hearing concluded: December 2024, after 12 weeks
- Reported scale of the verdict: 114 of 115 allegations
What the Premier League case concerns
The charges followed a four-year Premier League investigation. The independent proceedings were held at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre.
At the heart of the league’s case is the allegation that City failed to supply financial information which properly reflected the club’s position. The accusations relate to a nine-year period and have produced one of the most significant regulatory cases in English football.
City’s statement stressed that further elements remain before the matter can be treated as complete. That position leaves the timing and detail of any formal public outcome unclear.
Previous UEFA case
City have previously contested sanctions imposed by UEFA. In February 2020, UEFA found the club had breached its Financial Fair Play rules, issuing a two-season ban from European competition and a €30 million fine.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the European ban five months later and reduced the fine to €10 million. The Premier League case is separate, however, and is being dealt with under the competition’s own rules and disciplinary framework.
