Action images via Reuters/ Jason Cairnduff
After being first charged in 2023, Manchester City have been found guilty on 'virtually all' 115 charges brought by the Premier League for breaches of the league's financial fair play rules.
The news broke on Friday afternoon, with the Blues being found guilty on 114 charges of breaching financial fair play rules over nine years between 2009 and 2018. Some charges, however, do extend to 2023, with one of them being failing to cooperate in an investigation.
Despite the news becoming public, neither Manchester City nor the Premier League have posted an official statement regarding the matter, and the Citizens have declined to state whether they have been informed of a verdict just yet.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland
With City allowed to appeal, any punishments imposed will be some time away, and any possible sanctions have not been made known just yet, but with 114 charges, it will undoubtedly be a heavy punishment.
Whilst most have stayed quiet, some previous comments have resurfaced following the news, including the manager of a rival club.
What Mikel Arteta Saw at Man City
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Before his role as Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta spent time in Manchester, working as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager from 2016 until 2019, partly during the time period when these charges relate. When asked in 2023 about the charges being brought forward, Arteta didn't give too much away.
He said: "I'm not going to make any comment on that. I'm sorry."
He was then asked whether he had seen any wrongdoing during his time at the Etihad, to which the Spaniard said, "No." The Arsenal manager was then asked once again a year later about the charges, to which he said, "That's something for the authorities to manage. It's not for us.
Since the guilty verdict was delivered yesterday, Arteta has not yet made a comment, but as one of Man City's biggest rivals, he will be looking closely at what punishment they receive.
Manchester City Badge on the floor
Manchester City Badge on the floor
Reaction To City's Guilty Verdict
Manchester City corner flag via Reuters
Following the news yesterday, Manchester City have made an official statement, but it doesn't give too much away at this stage.
"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and is subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023.
"The club has respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
Reports also came out yesterday that Manchester United were conducting their own assessments in order to see how much money they lost in revenue in the seasons where Manchester City beat them to the Premier League title and Champions League qualification.
Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool also served City their own notices in 2024, reserving their right to demand compensation should a guilty verdict come.
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Manchester City staff are now worried they could potentially be at risk of redundancy, should a heavy financial fine hit the club, leading to cost-cutting measures.