Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges over breaches of financial rules.
The Premier League published the independent commission’s core findings on Tuesday, in a redacted form.
The commission found City arranged sham contracts with commercial partners between 2009-10 and 2017-18, as part of a disguised funding scheme that inflated revenue by £830m.
The Premier League charged City in February 2023. The commission heard the case between September and December 2024.
City deny the breaches, and chief executive Ferran Soriano told staff and players the commission’s opinion backs the league’s conspiracy theory.
The club has until Friday 2 October to appeal. The fallout is already spreading beyond the disciplinary process.
According to Sky Sports News, “players and their representatives have contacted lawyers over potential claims against City.”
The players are consulting lawyers over missed bonuses, whether from missing out on a title or on European qualification.
Clubs are also preparing for legal action. According to reports, barristers and lawyers are working with Premier League clubs on possible litigation against City. No litigation has been filed, and clubs will wait for the outcome of the appeals process.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal have already reserved their position. The Times reported in November 2024 that the clubs lodged legal notices over concerns about the statute of limitations.
Manchester City won three Premier League titles in the period: 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18. Liverpool finished runners-up in 2013-14, two points behind City. City also beat Liverpool in the 2016 League Cup final.
Tottenham missed out on the Champions League in four of the nine seasons because City finished above them. Everton missed out on European football in four seasons for the same reason.
Sanctions will be decided at a further hearing with the independent commission.
Possible sanctions include points deductions, fines, transfer bans and expulsion from the Premier League.
BREAKING! Sky Sports News understands that players and their representatives have contacted lawyers over potential claims against Man City.
It’s understood that players are consulting lawyers over missed bonuses – whether that is from missing out on a title or on European… pic.twitter.com/EE7j5yRwIg
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 1, 2026
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