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Man City charges verdict: Club found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules
Man City found to have arranged "sham contracts" with a number of commercial partners as part of a scheme to inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900m; club to appeal against verdict; tune in to Sky Sports News now for live coverage of this breaking news
Tuesday 29 September 2026 18:30, UK
Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent Commission, the league has said.
The independent Commission found that between 2009/10 and 2017/18:
- Manchester City arranged "sham" contracts with a number of its commercial partners as part of a "disguised funding scheme" to artificially inflate the club's revenues and reduce its costs by more than £900m
- The club filed accounts that concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators
- Manchester City were significantly in breach of both the Premier League's and UEFA's spending limits
- During the Premier League's investigation, Manchester City failed to co-operate and act in good faith towards the league, with three out of four alleged breaches upheld
Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have confirmed they will appeal against the ruling. They have until Friday October 2 to do so.
The Premier League published a redacted version of the Commission's report in which it is stated that the charges cover "well over 100" breaches of Premier League regulations.
The Premier League says sanctions will be addressed separately in a further hearing with the independent Commission which will remain confidential until the publication of the outcome is permitted.
Possible sanctions include points deductions, fines, transfer bans and expulsion from the Premier League.
The Premier League says it intends to conclude the remainder of the process as quickly as possible.
Masters: Findings prove systematic breaking of rules
Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, said: "The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.
"It also vindicates the Premier League's decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.
"It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the Rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans. We take that role extremely seriously.
"This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history. There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches. Now we have the Commission's decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process, to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans."
City: Process was not impartial
A Manchester City statement read: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
"The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.
"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.
"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.
"The club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."
Manchester City's statement erroneously refers to a Premier League Commission. It is an independent Commission.
