Arabic version: صدور قرار في قضية الاتهامات المالية ضد مانشستر سيتي

According to BBC News, a decision has been reached in the case concerning 115 Premier League financial-rule charges against Manchester City, with sources telling the broadcaster the club has been found guilty of breaking the majority of the charges. The Premier League declined to comment when approached, while City said the process remained ongoing.

City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation into alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018. The charges include 54 alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, 14 concerning player and manager payments, five relating to Uefa rules, seven alleged Premier League profit and sustainability rule breaches, and 35 alleged failures to co-operate with the league’s investigation.

The hearing began on 16 September 2024 and lasted 10 weeks. City have consistently denied wrongdoing and said in a statement that the process was subject to strict confidentiality. The club added that it had respected due process on the basis that the Premier League would act as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator.

Sanctions have not yet been announced publicly. The independent commission could impose points deductions, financial penalties or removal from the Premier League. A sufficiently severe points penalty could effectively relegate the club, while removal from the league would mean City lose membership and are demoted to a lower division at the end of the season.

An appeal by City is expected if sanctions follow, although the timetable remains unclear. The commission’s judgment can be appealed directly, but the case cannot be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. City won three Premier League titles during the period covered by the allegations: 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18.