Manchester City found guilty on 114 of 115 financial rule breaches, report says
According to a report by The Athletic, Manchester City has been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules. Sanctions have not yet been determined, and the club is expected to appeal. Possible penalties include points deductions, fines, and even relegation.
The charges stem from 2018 Der Spiegel leaks, alleging City inflated sponsorship from Etihad and Etisalat to hide direct investment from Abu Dhabi United Group, plus off-books payments to manager Roberto Mancini. Of the 115 charges, 80 cover breaches from 2009-2018, and 35 relate to non-cooperation with the investigation.
Since the 2008 takeover, City have won eight league titles in 15 seasons and the 2023 Champions League. They previously overturned a UEFA ban via CAS in 2020, but that case had a five-year limit, unlike the Premier League case. Recent points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest for single breaches highlight the severity of City's situation.
This verdict could reshape the Premier League's competitive landscape, affecting fans, players, and rival clubs. If sanctions include relegation or title stripping, it may undermine the integrity of past seasons and trigger compensation claims from other teams. The case also tests public trust in football governance, as a severe punishment could deter future financial misconduct, while a lenient one might embolden others. The outcome will likely influence how clubs manage finances and how leagues enforce rules.