Manchester City found guilty of vast majority of 115 Premier League charges
Manchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League, according to reports. The verdict, broken by The Athletic, came 1,327 days after City were charged in February 2023 and 22 months after an independent commission hearing concluded. City will appeal, while sanctions are yet to be announced.
- Verdict: Manchester City found guilty of the vast majority of 115 Premier League charges.
- Charges: Centred on inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and off-the-books payments to circumvent financial rules.
- Timeline: Charged February 2023; verdict 1,327 days later; hearing concluded 22 months ago.
- Appeal: City will appeal, BBC Sport has been told.
- Potential sanctions: Points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, or a huge fine.
- Compensation: Premier League clubs seeking legal advice; four clubs have filed protective claims.
What was said
"It's a sort of 'where does this end?' because if you look at every single season - the nine seasons which we now know Manchester City breached rules - then all of their 19 Premier League rivals in that season, to differing extents, suffered easy-to-compute loss. Whether it was a place in the Premier League - every place was worth £3m. Teams that came fifth who didn't make the Champions League maybe lost tens of millions of pounds - and of course teams that were relegated. Let's say the team that finished 18th would've finished 17th if Manchester City weren't there. And they, of course, suffered huge loss."
"If you add all those claims up, over nine years, and that's just in the Premier League, you can see that the potential here for this to spiral out of control is huge. I really hope that common sense prevails here and that there is a comprehensive solution between the authorities and Manchester City that looks at all these issues and tries to draw a line in the sand. Because a never-ending waterfall of legal claims and uncertainties for another four or five years would be absolutely appalling for the game."
"I think most football fans will be feeling that this is not a good moment for football as a whole and I think Manchester City fans will be feeling very, very anxious about what happens next. It's very unsettling for football fans and I hope that it can be resolved as swiftly as possible. I will obviously look very closely as what comes out of this but we can't apply those rules for the Premier League. They have got to do it themselves and are going to have to resolve this as swiftly as possible - not just for the sake of Manchester City but for the sake of football."
"To see all this tarnished in this way is very sad. I feel particularly bad for the wonderful supporters of the club who've stayed with the club through thick and thin. This whole process has taken too long already. So the appeal process now has to be done quickly because you've got the club playing with this cloud over its head and it's just not viable. The appeal process cannot go on for year after year, I think that would be a disaster, not just for this particular case but for English football generally. The timing is crucial."
"I can't give a view on the punishment. If they are found, after the appeal, guilty of 115 charges, my beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty. All I would say is that money is not sufficient, it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that."
"A little surprised when I heard it on the radio. Surprised because the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges. So it was a bit of a shock to find out that we've been found guilty of all but one. But really overall just quite sad really. Sad for the fans and for the players."
"Premier League process remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. 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."
Purslow's warning of a "never-ending waterfall of legal claims" is the clearest signal yet that the fallout will extend far beyond a points deduction or fine. With four clubs already reserving the right to claim compensation, the financial exposure for City could dwarf any sporting sanction. Gilroy's description of the case as a "seismic moment for world football" underscores the global significance.
Bernstein's call for a swift appeal process reflects growing unease that uncertainty will hang over the club for years. The former chairman's insistence that money is not sufficient suggests even a heavy fine may not satisfy those demanding drastic action. Noel Gallagher's reaction captures the mood among supporters: shock, sadness, and a sense of betrayal.
The numbers
- 115: Total charges brought by the Premier League.
- 1,327: Days between City being charged (February 2023) and the verdict.
- 22 months: Time since the independent commission hearing concluded.
- 9 seasons: Period covered by the charges.
- 19 rivals: Premier League clubs affected each season.
- £3m: Value of each Premier League place.
- 8 trophies: Won by City in the period covered (3 Premier League titles, 3 EFL Cups, 1 Community Shield, 1 FA Cup).
- 4 clubs: Have put in protective claims for compensation.
Why Manchester City's legal battle could spiral beyond the Premier League
The guilty verdict on the vast majority of 115 charges opens a Pandora's box of compensation claims that could reshape English football's financial landscape. Christian Purslow's analysis is a stark warning: every club that finished below City in the nine seasons in question has a potential claim. The £3m per place figure is a conservative starting point; Champions League revenue losses for teams that missed out by one position run into tens of millions.
The Premier League's own position is precarious. It must now decide on sanctions while clubs seek legal advice on compensation. A points deduction would satisfy sporting justice but could be seen as insufficient by rivals who suffered financial damage. Expulsion from the Premier League would be seismic but would also trigger a legal war with City that could last years. David Bernstein's call for a drastic penalty beyond a fine reflects a belief that financial punishments are easily absorbed by a club of City's wealth.
The appeal process, which City will pursue, adds another layer of uncertainty. Paul Gilroy KC described the case as a "seismic moment for world football", and with four clubs already filing protective claims, the stage is set for a multi-front legal battle. City's statement emphasises their respect for due process, but their appeal will test the Premier League's regulatory framework to its limits.
Talking points
- A points deduction is the minimum rivals will accept, but even a 30-point penalty may not compensate clubs relegated during the nine-season period covered by the charges.
- City's appeal could take another two years, leaving the Premier League in limbo and potentially delaying any compensation payouts until the next decade.
- Four clubs have already lawyered up; expect that number to grow once sanctions are announced and the full financial impact is calculated.
- If City are expelled, the precedent would be enormous, but the legal challenge would likely block any immediate enforcement, creating a chaotic limbo.
What happens next
The Premier League is yet to announce sanctions, and Manchester City will appeal. The league has declined to comment, and City have not confirmed the guilty verdict. Clubs seeking compensation will await the outcome of the appeal before formalising claims. The Culture Secretary has urged a swift resolution, but the legal process could run for years.
Frequently asked questions
What were the 115 charges against Manchester City?
The charges centred around claims that City inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and made other "off the books" payments to circumvent football's financial rules. They cover a wide range of rule breaches over nine seasons.
What punishment could Manchester City face?
Sanctions are yet to be announced, but potential repercussions include a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, or a huge fine. Former chairman David Bernstein said money alone would be insufficient and a more drastic penalty would be needed.
Will Manchester City appeal the guilty verdict?
Yes, BBC Sport has been told that City will appeal. The club's statement said the Premier League process "remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed" and is subject to strict confidentiality.
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