Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 breaches relating to the Premier League's financial regulations hearing. The verdict comes after a 12-week hearing held in September 2024, with the club expected to appeal and having always denied any wrongdoing.
Timeline of allegations and charges
The allegations of financial breaches first came to light in October 2018, when German newspaper Der Spiegel published leaked documents obtained by Football Leaks, alleging Manchester City had inflated the value of sponsorship deals in order to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
As a result, City were subject to an investigation from UEFA - but the club claimed the accusations were “false” and resulted from the “illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails”.
UEFA ban and appeal
In February 2020, City were found guilty by UEFA and handed a two-year Champions League ban and a €30m fine for “serious breaches” of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016. The decision was appealed, and in July 2020 the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the ban and reduced the fine to €10m.
Premier League charges and verdict
In February 2023, the Premier League charged City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules covering the period between 2009 and 2018, following a four-year investigation. At the time, City said it was “surprised” by the charges and it “welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position”.
City were also charged with failing to co-operate with the Premier League's investigation. In September 2024, City's 12-week hearing started at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
Now, over two years after the hearing, City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges. A spokesperson told The Athletic: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
