Criminal trial for Manchester City after the Premier's condemnation

The Premier League has found Manchester City guilty of “serious” financial violations committed between 2009 and 2018, sparking a crisis that goes beyond a simple sporting dispute. The Citizens have already lodged an appeal, maintaining their innocence and challenging the authority’s conclusions.

Possible criminal proceedings for the executives

According to the Times, some key figures from the management of the 2009‑2018 period could be prosecuted individually by the competent authorities. The UK fraud law, introduced in 2006, punishes those who provide false or misleading information to obtain economic advantages or avoid losses.

The sanctions provided by the legislation include custodial sentences of up to ten years and unlimited fines. The authorities have launched the first investigations to verify the criminal liability of the involved executives. The investigations are still ongoing and could extend to other managerial figures.

Meanwhile, the club is preparing its defence on the sporting front, but the legal situation makes the context even more delicate. The Citizens have reiterated their innocence and have already announced the appeal against the independent commission’s verdict.

Premier League’s next step hinges on Manchester City’s Friday appeal deadline

Fake commercial agreements and sanctions

The Premier League’s investigations have reconstructed the use of fictitious commercial agreements to artificially inflate Manchester City’s revenues. According to the reconstruction, these mechanisms would have allowed revenues to increase by more than £900 million, roughly €1.05 billion.

Possible sporting sanctions include points deductions, a transfer ban, the prospect of relegation or exclusion from the Premier League, and the revocation of titles won during the contested period.

If the authorities were to open a criminal proceeding, Manchester City’s most important match could be played outside of stadiums, with significant logistical and financial consequences.

The club has already lodged an appeal and continues to contest the Premier League’s conclusions, while the future of the criminal charges remains uncertain.