Manchester City have been found guilty on virtually every charge in one of the biggest financial regulation cases English football has seen. The independent commission concluded that the club breached Premier League financial rules across a period stretching from 2009 to 2018, with the central finding focused on what were described as sham commercial deals tied to sponsors.
In simple terms, the ruling states that a number of sponsorship arrangements were not what they appeared to be. The commission found they formed part of a disguised funding scheme, with the companies involved paying only part of the sponsorship fees attached to those agreements. The rest, according to the findings, was effectively made up elsewhere.
Club statement.
🔗 https://t.co/yrJ8Z0A52Y pic.twitter.com/0NP2k33JT9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 29, 2026
Premier League charges move to sanction stage
The Premier League has confirmed that the next step will be a separate hearing to determine punishment. That matters because the guilty verdict settles liability, while sanction could shape the competitive and financial future of the club. Points deductions, fines and other sporting penalties will now be part of the conversation.
City, for their part, have until October 2 to trigger their appeal rights, and they have already made it clear they intend to do exactly that.
Manchester City insist verdict is unsafe
The club’s response was direct and combative. In its statement, City said: “Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.”
City then went further, arguing there had been a…
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