Premier League confirms Manchester City's guilt

At a press conference at the Etihad, the Premier League confirmed that Manchester City has been found guilty of all charges of financial irregularities committed between the 2009‑10 and 2017‑18 seasons. The independent commission noted that the club was responsible for 114 of 115 charges and that the magnitude of the scheme amounted to approximately £900 million. Richard Masters, the league's chief executive, emphasized that elements of the case remain undecided, including the final sanction.

Commission decision and league reaction

The Premier League Independent Commission declared City guilty of all charges relating to financial irregularities and of most charges relating to lack of cooperation with the investigation. Masters stated that this process is "the most important in the history of the Premier League" and that the league is acting "with the utmost seriousness" to protect the integrity of the competition.

The official statement also indicated that the decision sets out the facts that occurred over nearly a decade, describing how the club manipulated its accounts through fictitious contracts and covert agreements with sponsors and with Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd.

Appeal deadline and possible sanctions

Manchester City has a deadline to appeal the decision until 2 October. The commission that issued the verdict will determine the specific sanction, which could include a hefty financial fine, points deduction, relegation or even expulsion from the league.

Premier League finds Manchester City guilty of infractions

The possible punishments, according to reports, range from financial penalties to the loss of titles won during the investigated period, although the exact details will remain confidential until the final hearing.

Club reaction and financial scheme

The club's CEO, Ferran Soriano, said that Manchester City is "both disappointed and surprised" and maintained its innocence regarding the charges. Soriano added that the process has taken eight years and that the club will continue to use all legal resources available to appeal.

The described financial scheme included sham contracts with sponsors, an entity called Fordham that managed players' image rights, and the financing of these agreements by ADUG, all aimed at inflating revenue and reducing costs by more than £900 million.

Media coverage included the Manchester City crest photo signed by Martin Rickett and the AI‑generated audio that accompanied the official statement, underscoring the seriousness and breadth of the announcement.