Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial regulation charges brought against them by the Premier League, marking a significant development in one of English football’s most closely watched disciplinary cases.
The reported verdict, first disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, 2026, follows a lengthy investigation into the club’s financial dealings and alleged breaches of league regulations.
According to Reuters and other media reports, an independent commission found the club responsible for all but one of the alleged breaches.
Despite the findings, the case remains unresolved. Manchester City are expected to appeal, while the sanctions, if any, have yet to be determined. The club has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains that it has respected the legal process.
The charges relate primarily to alleged financial misconduct between 2009 and 2018, including claims that the club failed to provide accurate financial information about its revenue and operating expenses. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Other allegations concern payments to players and managers, compliance with financial regulations and the club’s cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation.
The reported outcome represents a major development for the league, which has spent years investigating the club’s financial practices. However, the absence of a final sanctions decision means the immediate sporting consequences remain uncertain.
The case dates back to 2018, when German publication Der Spiegel published leaked financial documents that raised questions about Manchester City’s sponsorship arrangements and financial reporting.
The disclosures prompted renewed scrutiny of the club’s finances and contributed to investigations by European football authorities.
In February 2023, the Premier League formally charged Manchester City following a four-year investigation and referred the matter to an independent commission.
The club faced allegations covering several areas of the league’s regulations, including the requirement to provide accurate financial information, rules governing player and manager remuneration, profitability and sustainability requirements, and the obligation to cooperate with the league’s inquiries. Editorial Standards
Manchester City have rejected the allegations and challenged the proceedings. The club has maintained that its financial reporting and conduct should be assessed through a fair and independent process.
A 12-week hearing took place behind closed doors between September and December 2024. The independent commission subsequently considered the evidence before reaching the reported decision.
The confidential nature of the proceedings means that the full reasoning behind the individual findings has not been publicly detailed in the initial reports.
Further information about the commission’s conclusions and the remaining stages of the process will be important in understanding the case’s eventual consequences.
Manchester City have also faced scrutiny from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) over separate financial allegations arising from the same leaked documents.
In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-year ban on the club from European competitions and a €30 million fine. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the competition ban on appeal and reduced the fine to €10 million, approximately £8.8 million, for failing to cooperate with UEFA’s investigation. Corrections Policy
That ruling was separate from the Premier League proceedings and does not determine the outcome of the current case.
The English league’s charges are being handled under its own rules and disciplinary process.
The reported findings have drawn attention because of Manchester City’s success during the period covered by the allegations.
The club won multiple domestic titles and established itself as a leading force in English and European football.
Nevertheless, the reported verdict does not automatically mean that titles will be stripped or that the club will be relegated.
Any sporting or financial penalties would depend on the applicable disciplinary process and the outcome of any appeal.
Possible consequences could include a points deduction, a financial penalty or other disciplinary measures permitted under Premier League rules. The nature and severity of any sanction remain unconfirmed.
Manchester City also continue to compete in the Premier League while the proceedings remain ongoing.
The club currently sits at the top of the 2026/27 league table after winning its opening five matches, according to recent match reports.
The next stages are expected to focus on the club’s response to the findings, the appeal process and the determination of any sanctions.
For the Premier League, the case represents a major test of its financial regulations and enforcement procedures. Newscard
For Manchester City, the challenge is to contest the findings while continuing to compete on the pitch.
Although the reported decision marks an important stage in the long-running dispute, it does not bring the case to an immediate conclusion.
The eventual outcome will depend on the remaining legal and disciplinary proceedings, with further developments expected as the appeal process advances.