Exclusive Man City face possible points cut over obstruction verdict

Inside the Etihad boardroom, Enzo Maresca stared at the printed verdict that found Man City guilty of 114 charges. The exclusive document, handed to the club on a quiet Tuesday, confirmed the scale of the breach and set the stage for a possible points deduction.

Guilty verdict and charge breakdown

Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League. Of those, 35 relate specifically to an alleged failure to cooperate with investigations that ran from December 2018 to February 2023. The remaining charges cover a range of financial irregularities that have already attracted intense scrutiny.

The independent commission now holds the power to impose a sporting sanction, with many observers expecting a points deduction because of the obstruction charges. The club has already signalled its intention to appeal the verdict, meaning the final penalty remains uncertain.

Legal analysis and precedent

Dan Chapman, Managing Partner and Head of Sports Law at Leathes Prior, told TEAMtalk that the obstruction issue is the most serious problem City may face. “The most serious issue Manchester City may now be comprehending is not the financial offences themselves, but the failure to co‑operate,” Chapman said.

Chapman warned that a sanction limited to a fine would set an “inconceivable” precedent. He added that the commission’s written reasons will reveal how heavily it weighed the club’s lack of cooperation, and that a “very serious sporting sanction, as well as a huge fine,” is likely if the obstruction charges are deemed severe.

Looking back, Chapman cited Everton and Nottingham Forest, both of which lost points despite fully cooperating with the Premier League’s investigations. In the 2024 Forest case, the commission noted “exceptional cooperation” yet still imposed a points penalty, underscoring the league’s strict stance on cooperation.

He contrasted those examples with Chelsea, which self‑reported historical irregularities after new owners and HMRC uncovered issues dating back to the Roman Abramovich era. The differing outcomes highlight how the commission evaluates both admission and cooperation.

Chapman believes the Premier League’s lawyers will argue for a significant punishment, stressing the self‑policing nature of the rules. “The obstruction charges are the big battleground here,” he said, adding that even if the financial charges attract fines, the 34 or 35 cooperation‑related charges will not be taken lightly.

The final wording of the commission’s decision will be crucial, as it will indicate whether the Premier League intends to send a clear message that clubs cannot evade discipline by obstructing investigations. The outcome could shape future compliance across the league.