A breakdown of all 115 charges that were levelled at Manchester City
Manchester City's charges cover Roberto Mancini's time at the helm(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
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The news that Manchester City have been found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the Premier League's financial rules has sent shockwaves through English football. City were charged in February 2023 with 115 breaches of league rules, which the club strenuously denied.
Almost five years on, City have been found guilty of all but one of those charges by an independent commission. The penalties City will face are undecided but they potentially include a hefty points deduction or even demotion from the Premier League.
The club, which is set to appeal against the verdict, could even be stripped of titles. The long wait for a verdict has been exacerbated by the number and scale of the charges. They can be broken down into five categories:
A City spokesperson said: "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 that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
City were referred to the commission in February 2023, at a time when they were en route to the third of four consecutive Premier League titles. The investigation started in 2018.
A general view outside the Etihad stadium
City, who plan to appeal, could face serious penalties(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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City had been charged with failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as failing to provide full details of former manager Roberto Mancini's pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13.
They were also charged with failing to provide full details of remuneration in contracts with players between 2010-11 and 2015-16, and with failing to co-operate with the investigation from 2018 to 2023.
The club said at the time the charges were laid that they welcomed the opportunity for a commission "to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of our position."
Four months after the charges were issued, the club won the Champions League for the first time in its history. The commission hearing began in September 2024 and lasted 12 weeks.