Manchester City Found Guilty of Premier League Financial Breaches
According to the Premier League, City used what the commission described as “sham” commercial contracts with several partners.
Manchester City are found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations by an independent commission. Photo: The Guardian.
By Robert Mutasi
Manchester City have been found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations following a ruling by an independent commission that brings a major development in the league’s long-running investigation into the club.
The Premier League confirmed on September 29 that the commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches over a nine-season period from the 2009/10 to 2017/18 campaigns. The commission also upheld the majority of allegations concerning the club’s failure to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, City used what the commission described as “sham” commercial contracts with several partners. The arrangements were found to have artificially increased the club’s reported revenues while reducing its costs.
The commission concluded that the arrangements inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million during the period under investigation. Reuters reported that much of the disputed commercial funding was linked to Manchester City’s ownership group, Abu Dhabi United Group.
The ruling also found that City submitted inaccurate financial accounts and concealed the true financial position of the club from auditors and football regulators.
The commission further determined that the club significantly breached both Premier League spending regulations and UEFA financial limits during the period covered by the case.
A separate part of the ruling concerned City’s conduct during the Premier League investigation. The commission upheld three of four alleged breaches relating to the club’s obligation to cooperate with the league and act in good faith.
The case has been closely watched since the Premier League formally charged City following a lengthy investigation. The charges covered financial information, sponsorship revenue, costs and remuneration involving players and managers.
Manchester City have rejected the findings and said they remain convinced that the commission reached an incorrect conclusion. Chief executive Ferran Soriano told staff and players that the club would appeal, arguing that the ruling contained errors of law and fact.
City has until Friday, October 2, 2026, to lodge their appeal. The Premier League said its intention is to complete the full process, including any appeal and publication of relevant decisions, as soon as possible.
No sporting sanction has been imposed as part of the announcement. The consequences of the ruling will depend on the outcome of the appeal and the separate sanctions process.
The verdict therefore does not immediately alter Manchester City’s current league position or automatically remove any trophies. Any such consequences would have to follow the remaining legal and disciplinary procedures.
The commission’s findings cover the period between 2009/10 and 2017/18, during which City developed into one of English football’s leading clubs. The club won its first Premier League title in 2012 and added further domestic honours during the years covered by the investigation.
The ruling now leaves Manchester City facing another significant legal battle as the club seeks to overturn the findings while the Premier League prepares for the next stage of the process.
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