Athletic accuses Manchester City of 114 of 115 Premier League charges

In the silence of the Etihad Stadium, a press release from Manchester City confirmed that the club was found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges brought by the Premier League for financial violations, according to the portal The Athletic, a British newspaper, and journalist David Ornstein.

Charges and outcome of the investigation

The independent commission, set up in February 2023, examined alleged violations that occurred between 2009 and 2018. The final report confirmed that Manchester City was found responsible for 114 of the 115 charges, leaving only one uncontested.

The infringements include the failure to provide detailed financial information on player and coaching staff salaries, as well as breaches of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and the Premier League’s sustainability rules.

Club reactions and official statements

A Manchester City spokesperson told The Athletic: “The Premier League procedure is still ongoing, with significant elements to be defined and subject to strict confidentiality. Therefore, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement from February 2023.”

In the February 2023 statement, the club said it had scrupulously complied with the procedures for eight years, relying on an independent, impartial and fair regulatory authority.

Manchester City (MANCHESTER CITY) reiterated its stance of innocence.

President Khaldoon Al Mubarak has repeatedly maintained the club’s innocence in the face of the accusations.

In 2020 UEFA had imposed on City a two‑year ban from European competitions and a €30 million fine; both sanctions were overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport due to prescription or lack of evidence.

Subsequently, UEFA fined the club around €10 million for failing to cooperate with the investigation.

Possible Premier League sanctions

The Premier League regulations, section W.51, provide sanctions ranging from a formal reprimand to fines, points deductions in the league table and, in extreme cases, expulsion from the competition.

Penalties can be applied retroactively, with the risk of stripping titles won during the period of violations, which include three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and one Community Shield.

The club has announced its intention to appeal the commission’s verdict, but no date has been set for the final decision; some sources speculate a possible ruling around Easter or during the European summer.

If the decision is upheld, the appeal process could stretch until the end of the year or beyond, leaving the club in a state of uncertainty.

A drastic measure by the Premier League would represent a historic precedent for English football, testing the authorities’ ability to enforce financial rules even on top‑tier clubs.