Manchester City have been found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial regulations, with the verdict leaving several clubs reeling, according to reports. Rival clubs may unite in calling for the club to be kicked from the English top flight, though they are reportedly holding off until the sanctions process concludes before making any formal demands, according to The Times.
Guilty verdict after three-year wait
After a three-year wait, the Premier League finally published the findings of an independent panel that had investigated City over a catalogue of financial violations spanning 2009 and 2018. The panel found City guilty of all charges levelled against them, and consequently, action is expected to follow.
A statement from the Premier League read: "An independent Commission has found Manchester City FC guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period, and the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League's investigation."
League chief executive responds
League chief executive Richard Masters added: "The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade."
"It also vindicates the Premier League's decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently."
"It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the Rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans. We take that role extremely seriously."
"This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history. There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches. Now we have the Commission's decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process, to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans."
Appeal and potential sanctions
City retain the right to appeal the ruling, which they are anticipated to exercise, though any challenges must be submitted by Friday. While the Premier League confirmed in their statement that they will seek to conclude the entire process "as soon as possible," no definitive penalties will be imposed on City until proceedings are finished.
Though purely speculative at this stage, the club could face demotion from the Premier League and be stripped of their titles won between 2009 and 2018. Points deductions, transfer bans and hefty fines are also among the potential sanctions.
City released a statement of their own on Tuesday, once again maintaining their innocence. It read: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today. The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case."
"The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums. The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe."
"The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence. The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."
