Manchester split over the court ruling against City
The verdict of an independent court has found Manchester City guilty of 115 charges of financial irregularities, which has divided the British city of Manchester. The sentence, announced on Tuesday, is based on violations committed between the 2009‑10 and 2017‑18 seasons.
The irregularities spanned nine seasons, from 2009‑10 to 2017‑18, and the club faces possible sanctions that include point deductions, an unprecedented financial fine and, in the worst case, relegation. The commission highlighted fictitious contracts and a scheme valued at £900 million. The verdict, issued by an independent tribunal, is based on 115 charges of financial infringements.
Manchester City has announced that it will appeal the decision through its chief executive Ferran Soriano, who insists on the team's innocence. Soriano described the conclusions as “compelling” and emphasized the intention to defend the club's integrity. The independent commission will assess the options in a closed‑door hearing that will take place in the near future.
Visual reactions at the Etihad
Near the Etihad Stadium, on the east side of Manchester, a mural proclaims ‘Us against the world’ as a show of loyalty to the club, while the City crest appears vandalised with the insult ‘Dirty Cheating Bastards’. These expressions reflect the palpable tension around the stadium. The proximity of the graffiti to the sporting venue underscores the division felt in the city.
Clash with United supporters
Manchester United fans, located in the southwest of the city, respond with the term ‘cheating’ as the most common word when commenting on the case. On the Wharfside Way artery, which separates the stadium from the regenerated canal area towards Salford Quays, banners reading ‘cheats’ and ‘Relegate City’ can be seen, symbols of the hostility they feel towards the ‘skyblues’. These displays contrast with the loyalty shown by City supporters.
Sporting and executive implications
During the investigated period, City won three Premier League titles (2011‑12, 2013‑14 and 2017‑18), while United finished runners‑up in two of those seasons. United’s current chief executive, Omar Berrada, worked at City between 2011 and 2024, giving him deep insight into the financial matters under scrutiny. United co‑owner Jim Ratcliffe expressed his concern before the verdict was known. Berrada assures that the ruling does not affect him personally and he does not expect to be implicated.
Political and economic repercussions
Greater Manchester’s mayor, Bev Craig, warned: “We must ensure that the lives and livelihoods of those living around the Etihad are not affected.” The UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, former Manchester mayor, said that he would be “very concerned about losing” the Emirati owners of City, describing them as a key partner for building modern Manchester. Burnham, a declared Everton fan, had championed the idea of an independent regulator and now finds himself forced to cut ties with City’s owners. Both politicians fear that the sanction could impact the east side of the city’s economy.
Outlook and next steps
Peter Powell and Xavier Hoste, journalists covering the situation, note that the verdict has reignited the debate over the need for an independent financial regulator in the Premier League. The closed‑door hearing will determine whether City will face the maximum sanction, which could include point deductions, a historic fine or even relegation. Meanwhile, the city remains divided, with demonstrations both supporting and opposing the club. The future of the Etihad and the possible divestment from the stadium remain open questions.