Man City could still end the season as Premier League champion despite a guilty verdict on its charges with any potential punishment likely to be delayed by an appeal
The Manchester City and Premier League badges after Manchester City found guilty of breaches of Premier League financial rules
Manchester City currently lead the way at the top of the Premier League table(Image: Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Manchester City will be free to compete for, and potentially lift, this season's Premier League title despite a guilty verdict on all but one of its 115 charges, according to the latest reports.
The football world was rocked on Friday evening when news broke that the Manchester club had been found guilty on almost all of the charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. City was first charged all the way back in February 2023 at the end of an investigation that spanned over four years.
A 10-week hearing then began in September 2024 and, although a verdict was initially expected in 2025, it hasn't arrived until September 2026, almost two years after the hearing took place.
That said, the process is seemingly far from over, with City reportedly set to appeal the verdict. It has been claimed any appeal would need to be heard by a separate and newly convened independent commission, although the grounds for success are slim.
In the event that fails, City could take the case to the High Court and seek a judicial review of the commission's findings. Again, the chances of success for City in that scenario would be slim.
But according to legal experts, as reported by the Daily Mail, City will likely be free to lift the Premier League trophy this season if it wins the title. This is down to the legal delays caused by any appeal, with the case unlikely to reach the sanctions stage anytime soon.
In the event City maintains its strong start to the league season, it could win its first title since 2024. Arne Slot 's Liverpool claimed the prize in 2025, while Arsenal emerged victorious last term, with City finishing third and second in those respective campaigns.
Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki and Elliot Anderson of Manchester City celebrate 2nd goal during the Premier League win over Sunderland
Manchester City has won all five of their Premier League matches so far this season(Image: Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Although Pep Guardiola departed at the end of last season, City has got off to a strong start in the Enzo Maresca era. The Manchester club has won every single game so far, which includes league triumphs over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Manchester United and Sunderland.
City maintains its innocence, with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak issuing a statement on Saturday addressing reports of a guilty verdict. It follows a statement made by the club on Friday, which 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 will resume its Premier League campaign after the international break with a visit to Anfield to take on Andoni Iraola 's Reds. Liverpool has also enjoyed something of a promising start to the season, but it's an opportunity for both sides to lay down a real marker in this year's title race.