The club has until Friday to appeal as an independent commission upholds multiple breaches spanning nearly a decade
By Pascal Okoth
Manchester City were yesterday found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
An independent commission ruled against the English champions on a series of serious financial charges, including allegations relating to commercial agreements, financial reporting and the club’s cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation.
The commission found that City used what it described as “sham” contracts with several commercial partners. Those agreements were found to have misrepresented the true arrangements between the parties, allegedly allowing the club to artificially inflate revenues and reduce reported costs.
The commission also concluded that City submitted accounts that misstated the club’s financial position, finding that the club concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators.
A further element of the case concerned spending limits. The commission found that City had significantly breached both Premier League and UEFA spending regulations during the period under investigation.
The club’s conduct during the Premier League’s inquiry also came under scrutiny. Of four alleged breaches relating to City’s duty to cooperate and act in good faith, three were upheld.
The findings mark a major development in a case that has remained unresolved for several years. However, they do not automatically trigger a points deduction, relegation or any other sporting punishment. City have the right to appeal and have until Friday to exercise it.
The club has strongly disputed the allegations throughout the proceedings and is expected to challenge the commission’s conclusions. City’s position has consistently been that it complied with the relevant financial regulations and did not deliberately misrepresent its finances.
The Premier League said it intends for the entire process — including any appeal and the publication of relevant decisions — to be concluded as soon as possible.
The final sporting and financial consequences for City will therefore depend on what follows. Until the appeal process is completed and any sanctions determined, the full impact on the club remains unclear.
The verdict nonetheless represents a significant moment for the Premier League’s financial framework. The case has sharpened scrutiny on how clubs report revenues, structure commercial agreements and comply with spending rules.
City have enjoyed considerable domestic and European success during and after the period covered by the investigation, making the outcome particularly consequential for the club and the broader football community.
For now, the commission’s findings stand. But the case is not over. Further developments are expected before the Premier League’s long-running financial investigation reaches its final conclusion.
