Manchester City reportedly guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League financial charges, facing major sanctions

Manchester City has reportedly been found guilty on 114 of the 115 Premier League financial charges it faced, with the club found in breach of most of the allegations. The reported verdict follows a long-running inquiry into the club's business dealings and leaves the reigning champions exposed to severe competitive and financial sanctions. The Premier League has not yet published the judgement. A City spokesperson told The Athletic that the league's process remains ongoing, with major parts still to be completed and subject to "strict confidentiality." The spokesperson said the club's position is consistent with its February 2023 statement, adding that City had "diligently respected due process for eight years" on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would act as an "independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence." The Premier League's investigation into City was prompted by leaked club documents published by German outlet Der Spiegel in November 2018. In February 2023, the league charged the club with alleged breaches of its financial rules over a nine-year period, spanning the 2009/10 season through 2017/18. City won the Premier League three times during that stretch. The club was also charged with allegedly failing to cooperate with the league's investigation into its finances. City denied all charges. In 2023, the club said it was "surprised" by the action given the "extensive engagement" and the "vast amount of detailed materials" it had provided to the Premier League. The case was referred to an independent commission, and a 12-week hearing began in late 2024. The investigation was first sparked by Der Spiegel's November 2018 publication of leaked club documents. The Premier League charged City in February 2023 with alleged violations of its financial rules across nine years, from 2009/10 to 2017/18. During that period, City won three league titles. The club also faced an allegation that it failed to cooperate with the league's inquiry into its finances. City denied every charge. In 2023, the club said it was "surprised" by the move, citing "extensive engagement" and the "vast amount of detailed materials" it had supplied to the Premier League. An independent commission was assigned to the case, and a 12-week hearing commenced in late 2024.