An independent panel has found Manchester City guilty of 114 out of 115 alleged breaches of financial rules. This significant verdict on Manchester City financial misconduct follows a comprehensive four-year investigation. The decision was reached after a hearing spanning approximately 12 weeks, concluding in December 2024.
Sanctions against the club have not yet been determined. Meanwhile, the Premier League declined to comment on the report. Manchester City also refrained from specific comments regarding the verdict.
Instead, the club released a statement. It noted that the “Premier League process remains ongoing,” with crucial elements still pending. Furthermore, the club emphasised strict confidentiality throughout the proceedings.
The statement added that City has “diligently respected due process for eight years.” The club maintains its belief that the Premier League board would act as an “independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator,” free from partisan influence.
Sources indicate that Manchester City plans to appeal the findings if found guilty. This appeal would challenge the independent panel’s decision. Additionally, other Premier League clubs reportedly received notification of the verdict. They are now seeking legal counsel regarding potential compensation claims.
The original charges, filed in February 2023, stemmed from more than 100 alleged breaches. These related to financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Specifically, the Premier League accused City of failing to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view” of its financial standing.
The allegations covered periods under managers Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola. Guardiola notably departed the club after the 2025-26 season. Throughout this period, Manchester City secured eight trophies, including three Premier League titles.
Specific breaches included 54 counts of failing to provide accurate financial information from 2009-10 to 2017-18. There were also 14 counts related to player and manager payment details during the same timeframe. Moreover, the club faced 5 charges for not complying with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, and 7 for breaching Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
A significant portion of the charges, 35 counts, concerned a failure to cooperate with Premier League investigations. This non-cooperation spanned from December 2018 to February 2023. This Manchester City financial misconduct case is complex.
City has consistently denied all charges. The club has previously asserted its case is supported by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence.”
Separately, City was involved in another legal challenge. In 2024, an independent arbitration panel ruled against certain aspects of the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) regulations. However, the club and the Premier League reached a settlement in September 2025. City ultimately accepted the APT rules as valid and binding, terminating the legal proceedings.
