Premier League Finds Manchester City Guilty of Financial Rule Breaches
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
LONDON: Manchester City have been found guilty of numerous breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations following an independent investigation covering a nine-year period.
An independent commission ruled that the club had breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018. According to the findings, City used commercial arrangements that resulted in their revenues being overstated and certain costs being understated.
The commission found that the arrangements involved several commercial partners paying only part of sponsorship amounts, with the remaining funds being provided by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development (ADUG), which owned the club at the time.
The findings stated that the arrangements affected the way City reported their finances under Premier League and UEFA financial regulations.
According to the commission, the arrangements resulted in more than £830 million in revenue being overstated. It also found that income linked to image rights was overstated by almost £74 million, while staff-related liabilities were understated by nearly £17 million.
The commission concluded that City would have exceeded applicable spending limits by a significant margin had their finances been reported accurately.
The club was also found to have breached rules concerning cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation. The commission said some evidence provided by key witnesses on behalf of Manchester City was inaccurate and that some witnesses had provided statements they knew to be untrue.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the ruling as a major decision for English football and said the league would now work to complete the remaining stages of the disciplinary process.
Manchester City to appeal
Manchester City has rejected the findings and confirmed that it intends to appeal the decision.
In a statement, the club said it was surprised by the ruling and argued that the commission’s decision contained what it described as significant errors of law, principle and fact.
No final sporting or financial punishment has been announced yet. Under Premier League rules, possible sanctions can include a fine, points deduction or expulsion from the competition.
Manchester City have won eight Premier League titles, four FA Cups and seven League Cups since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. The club also won the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 2023.
The Premier League had previously brought more than 100 charges against Manchester City in 2023 following its investigation into alleged financial rule violations.
The independent commission began its hearing in September 2024 and concluded the proceedings three months later.
The eventual punishment, if any, will depend on the next stages of the disciplinary and appeal process.
