Manchester City found guilty of systemic financial rule breaches by Premier League
The Premier League has officially confirmed that Manchester City has been found guilty of a wide range of financial rule breaches spanning nearly a decade. An independent commission determined that the club engaged in a scheme involving "sham contracts" and misleading accounting practices to disguise over £830 million in secret funding between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
Findings of the independent commission
The commission’s report, which was released in a redacted format, details over 100 individual breaches across four primary categories. Investigators concluded that the club systematically manipulated its financial records to artificially inflate revenue and reduce reported costs. This scheme was reportedly instrumental in allowing the club to avoid recording what would have been the largest single-season loss in league history during the 2009-10 campaign.
A particularly damning aspect of the report highlights that the club relied on "sham agreements" with commercial partners. Out of £360 million recorded in sponsorship fees during three title-winning seasons, the commission found that only £43 million was legitimate, with the remainder originating from the club's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). Furthermore, the commission noted that several club witnesses provided "false evidence" and "untrue and dishonest" testimony during the proceedings.
Premier League response and regulatory integrity
Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, stated that the decision establishes the factual reality of the club's conduct over the ten-year period. He emphasized that the league has a fundamental responsibility to uphold the rules approved by all member clubs to ensure a fair and competitive environment. Masters noted that the league remains committed to protecting the integrity of the competition for both fans and participants.
While the verdict has been delivered, the process is not yet concluded. The Premier League confirmed that appropriate sanctions for these breaches will be addressed in a separate hearing. The specific nature of these penalties remains confidential under league rules, though the severity of the findings has prompted widespread calls for significant consequences, including from former club officials.
Club defense and the path to appeal
Manchester City has categorically denied any wrongdoing, expressing both disappointment and surprise at the commission's conclusions. In an official statement, the club asserted its innocence and claimed to possess a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support its position. The club has indicated it will pursue all available appeal avenues, citing what it describes as "clear material errors of law, principle and fact" within the report.
The club maintains that it has respected due process throughout the eight-year investigation. While the legal battle continues, the BBC reports that the club’s leadership, including CEO Ferran Soriano, has characterized the allegations as a "conspiracy theory" while insisting that the club will eventually be vindicated. Manchester City has until October 2 to formally submit its appeal.
