Manchester City have rejected the findings of the Premier League case against them and insist they are innocent of all financial charges.
The Premier League has confirmed that an independent commission found City guilty of charges relating to breaches of its financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
In a statement on its website, the Premier League said the commission found that City had entered into “sham” contracts and agreements to “inflate the club’s revenue and reduce its costs”.
The commission also found that City had “misstated accounts and concealed the true state of its finances”, putting the club in “significant” breach of both Premier League and UEFA rules.
City have until Friday to appeal the decision.
The club were reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. The allegations relate to possible breaches of financial rules over a nine-year period. City have maintained their innocence and are expected to appeal the ruling.
CITY INSIST LEGAL PROCESS IS STILL ONGOING
Manchester City have denied any wrongdoing since the charges were brought in February 2023. Following reports of the ruling, the club reiterated that the legal process was still ongoing.
A City spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”
The club also said it had respected the process and expected the Premier League to act fairly and independently. City have maintained that the allegations should be resolved through the legal process rather than through reports in the media.
CHAIRMAN SENDS MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has written to supporters, reassuring them that the club remains confident it can prove its innocence.
He said: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.”
Al Mubarak also explained why the club had not shared more details about its position.
“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position,” he said.
He added: “But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.”
The chairman also insisted that “nothing has changed” in the club’s position since the case began.
WHAT ARE THE CHARGES ABOUT?
The Premier League accused City of breaching financial rules over several seasons. The charges include allegations that the club provided incorrect financial information and failed to co-operate fully with the investigation.
Some of the allegations concern sponsorship agreements. The Premier League claimed that certain deals may not have been worth as much as the club reported and that some payments may have come from other sources.
Manchester City have rejected the accusations and consistently maintained that their financial dealings were lawful.
PUNISHMENT YET TO BE CONFIRMED
Although the independent commission has reportedly found City guilty of nearly all the charges, the punishment has not yet been announced. The club could appeal the ruling before any final decision is made.
Possible punishments have been widely discussed, including a points deduction, a fine or even expulsion from the Premier League. However, no sanction has been confirmed, and the final outcome remains uncertain.
The next steps will depend on the commission’s full findings, any punishment imposed and the outcome of City’s appeal.
LONG LEGAL BATTLE AHEAD
The case has hung over Manchester City and English football for several years. The club have won several major trophies during the period covered by the charges, including Premier League titles and the Champions League.
For now, City have made their position clear. While an independent commission has delivered its findings, the club maintains that the matter is not over and intends to challenge the decision.
As Al Mubarak told supporters, the club’s “confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.”
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