Manchester City found guilty of severe financial rule breaches

An independent commission appointed by the Premier League has found Manchester City guilty of multiple breaches of financial regulations spanning nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The findings, detailed in a 40-page core decision, indicate that the club used deceptive commercial agreements to artificially inflate revenue and hide operating costs totaling more than 900 million pounds. Furthermore, the club was found to have submitted inaccurate financial statements and failed to provide transparent information to auditors and football authorities, violating both Premier League and UEFA rules. The investigation also confirmed a lack of cooperation with the Premier League's probe in three out of four specific categories.

The proceedings, which commenced in September 2024, resulted in the club being found guilty of almost all charges, with the exception of one sub-category regarding investigation cooperation. Manchester City has formally rejected the findings, labeling the decision as legally flawed and expressing disappointment at the outcome. The club has announced its intention to appeal the decision, claiming it possesses conclusive evidence of its innocence and alleging potential bias within the commission's board. The case remains a landmark legal development in professional football.