Reports say an independent commission has ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the Premier League’s 115 financial charges, with sanctions yet to be determined and an appeal expected.
Manchester City Found Guilty of Nearly All Charges
Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, marking a major development in the league's long-running case against the club.
The reported verdict was published on Friday, September 25, 2026, following an investigation and legal process that has stretched across several years.
The Athletic and The Times reported that the independent commission reached its decision, with Reuters subsequently reporting that City had been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged breaches.
However, the sanctions have not yet been decided.
Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings, meaning the latest development does not represent the end of the legal process.
What Were Manchester City's Charges?
The Premier League referred Manchester City to an independent commission in February 2023 following a lengthy investigation.
The league alleged that City had breached its financial regulations over a period stretching primarily from the 2009-10 season through 2017-18.
The allegations covered several areas, including claims that the club failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to provide complete details concerning player and manager remuneration, breached UEFA financial regulations and failed to cooperate with the Premier League's investigation.
The case involved 115 alleged breaches, although the charges covered different types of alleged conduct and different periods.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing.
When the charges were announced in 2023, the club said it was surprised by the allegations and maintained that it had evidence supporting its position.
Independent Commission Conducted the Hearing
The hearing before an independent commission began in September 2024 and lasted approximately 12 weeks.
The proceedings concluded in December 2024.
The commission consisted of three judges and considered a substantial volume of evidence relating to the Premier League's allegations and City's defence.
A decision did not follow immediately.
The absence of a verdict became a major talking point during subsequent Premier League seasons, with league officials repeatedly declining to provide a specific timetable.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters acknowledged in August 2026 that the process had taken longer than expected but said the commission needed time to complete its work.
City Expected to Appeal
The reported guilty findings are not necessarily the final word on the case.
Manchester City are expected to appeal the decision, according to reports.
The club has also maintained that the Premier League process remains ongoing.
A City spokesperson said the club's position remained consistent with its response when the charges were originally brought, while stressing its view that due process should be followed.
The appeal process could therefore extend the dispute considerably further.
Until the appeal process and any subsequent proceedings are completed, the reported findings should not be treated as the final outcome of every aspect of the case.
What Punishment Could Manchester City Face?
The sanctions have not yet been announced.
Possible consequences reported in connection with the case include a financial penalty, points deduction or, in the most severe scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.
However, no such punishment has been imposed as of the reported September 25 verdict.
The exact sanction, if any, would depend on the commission's findings and the applicable Premier League rules.
The subsequent appeal could also affect the final outcome.
This means reports about Manchester City potentially being relegated or stripped of titles should currently be treated as possibilities rather than confirmed punishments.
Could Manchester City Lose Previous Premier League Titles?
The reported verdict has also raised questions about Manchester City's historical honours.
Three of the club's Premier League championships fall within the principal period covered by the financial allegations: the 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18 titles.
However, a guilty finding does not automatically strip Manchester City of those trophies.
Any decision concerning historical titles would depend on the sanctions and any subsequent appeals or proceedings.
The same applies to other domestic honours won during the relevant period.
As of Friday, there had been no announcement stripping Manchester City of any trophy.
A Case That Has Lasted Eight Years
The controversy surrounding Manchester City's finances stretches back even further than the Premier League's 2023 charges.
The Premier League investigation was prompted in part by material published from Football Leaks beginning in 2018.
UEFA subsequently investigated City over alleged financial-rule breaches.
In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-season Champions League ban and a €30 million fine on City, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned the Champions League ban and reduced the financial penalty.
The Premier League investigation continued separately.
That eventually resulted in the 115 charges announced in February 2023.
The independent hearing concluded in December 2024, but the commission's reported decision did not emerge until September 2026.
City Have Continued to Compete
Throughout the Premier League case, Manchester City have continued to compete domestically and in European competition.
The club won three Premier League titles during the period covered by the principal allegations.
City have also remained one of English football's most successful clubs during the years in which the case has been unresolved.
More recently, the club began the 2026/27 Premier League season strongly under new manager Enzo Maresca, maintaining a perfect league record through the first international break. Reuters reported that City had won their opening seven matches in all competitions by September 20.
The reported verdict now introduces a major legal issue alongside the club's sporting campaign.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next stage is expected to centre on sanctions and City's appeal.
The independent process will have to determine the consequences arising from the charges that were found proven.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are expected to challenge the findings.
The club has already indicated that it considers the Premier League process to remain ongoing and has stressed the importance of due process.
That means Friday's reported verdict is a major development, but it is not necessarily the final chapter.
The case has taken years to reach this point, and any appeal could add another significant period before the dispute is finally resolved.
For Manchester City, the consequences could ultimately affect the club's finances, league position and historical record, depending on the sanctions and outcome of any appeal.
For the Premier League, the case represents one of the most significant financial-rule proceedings in its history.
For now, the central fact is that Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches, while the punishment and final legal outcome remain unresolved.
