A general view of the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City's Etihad Stadium(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. The verdict arrives three-and-a-half years after City were presented with the now notorious accusations.
The penalties have yet to be determined and City are anticipated to challenge the ruling. City could face a financial penalty, suffer a points deduction or potentially be removed from the Premier League.
In February 2023, the Premier League claimed that City had breached its financial regulations over a nine-year span running from 2009 to 2018. The club were additionally accused of failing to cooperate with Premier League inquiries into their accounts.
City, who vigorously rejected all of the allegations and any misconduct from the beginning, secured three league championships during that period. The accusations cast doubt over their achievements under Emirati proprietor Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A 12-week tribunal was conducted before a three-member independent panel between September and December of 2024. The outcome has now been delivered after years of silence, reports the Mirror.
A City statement to The Athletic read: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023.
"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
The statement released by City back in February 2023 read: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
"The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
City insisted their case was underpinned by a 'comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence'. The Premier League, meanwhile, alleged that City had violated regulations requiring the club to furnish 'accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position'.
Pep Guardiola stepped down as City manager in May, departing with a firm conviction in the club's innocence. "I trust them," said Guardiola, who had taken charge in 2016.
"I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened... There will be a resolution, but nobody from the staff, of the backroom staff or mainly the players and the manager was here."
There is no indication that the former City manager had any knowledge of the alleged misconduct that took place between 2016 and 2018. Enzo Maresca currently holds the reins at the club, having previously worked as Guardiola's number two.
"The only thing I can say is three years ago, the treble season, I was here, and it was the same words about this," Maresca said in July. "In three years, it's still the same. Nothing has happened. I don't have any concerns, personally."