Manchester City reportedly found guilty of 114 Premier League financial breaches
Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, according to material published by Channels Television. The case follows years of investigations, legal challenges and disputes over the club’s sponsorship income, financial reporting and cooperation with investigators.
Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, according to Channels Television. The verdict follows a case that began with allegations concerning the club’s finances between 2009 and 2018. The allegations first emerged after German publication Der Spiegel reported that City had attempted to bypass UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations through backdated payments from Abu Dhabi-based sponsors.
City rejected the claims, arguing that the material had been obtained through an “illegal hack” and that publication of internal emails formed part of an organised effort to damage the club’s reputation. UEFA and the Premier League subsequently opened investigations. In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-season ban from European competitions and a €30m fine after finding “serious breaches” of its regulations.
An independent panel said City had overstated sponsorship revenue in accounts submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016. City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. CAS overturned the European ban and reduced the fine to €10m, finding that most alleged breaches were either unproven or time-barred.
It nevertheless imposed the remaining penalty because of the club’s failure to cooperate with the investigation. After a four-year investigation, the Premier League referred City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches. The accusations included failing to provide accurate financial information, violating financial regulations and profitability and sustainability rules, and failing to cooperate with investigations.
City denied wrongdoing and said it possessed a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supporting its position. Former manager Pep Guardiola said the club had already been “condemned” but pledged to remain while it sought to clear its name. The independent commission’s hearing began in central London and later concluded, with the panel retiring to consider its verdict.
The reported finding could now expose the club to sanctions, although the supplied material does not state what punishment will follow.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.