The case surrounding Manchester City and the charges from the Premier League continues to twist and turn, with further changes expected in the coming weeks.
A general exterior view of Etihad Stadium, home stadium of Manchester City ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Coventry City
Manchester City was reportedly found guilty of the Premier League charges(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
Manchester City is claimed to have known about the guilty verdict for all but one charge made by the Premier League since the summer.
That's according to ESPN, which reports that the club was informed of the decision that was made by the independent panel before it had begun its spending spree in the transfer window.
The initial decision is believed to have been communicated to Man City chiefs in July, adding a further twist to the tale, while an official verdict is still waiting to be revealed.
It comes as the latest of the saga surrounding the club, with the reports of a guilty verdict being the first major development since the charges were brought upon the club by the Premier League and an independent panel was assembled in 2023.
Those charges contained 115 alleged breaches, which included the failure to report accurate financial records, potential breaching of financial rules, and a lack of co-operation in the division's investigation. Man City has denied any wrongdoing throughout the process, with the investigations starting back in 2018.
The outcome of the independent panel's decision is yet to be made public, but reports surrounding a guilty verdict have ramped up in recent days. Man City is expected to appeal the decision, before the possibility of sanctions is brought forward.
Potential sanctions are wide-ranging, and could include anything from points deductions and fines, all the way to titles being stripped and demotion from the Premier League.
It remains to be seen what could follow, but Man City's reported knowledge of the verdict since July and the club's following actions in the transfer market certainly suggests there is still some confidence over its future.
This is a breaking news story, more to come as it develops...