Man City found guilty of 114 Premier League charges

Manchester City are understood to have been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules in a “seismic” decision that will send shockwaves through English football. Premier League executives were told at a meeting on Thursday that a verdict in the 115 charges brought against City had been reached – and that they have been found guilty of 114. The independent, three-man panel are yet to decide on sanctions and it is almost certain that City will appeal the decision, dragging the process on for many more months and possibly extending into next season. But experts predicted the verdict had the potential to re-shape English football. Former City advisor Stefan Borson predicted that the written verdict, when it lands, will be “scathing” about the club and its executives. He said: “There’s no sugarcoating it – if they have been found guilty on everything it’s very hard to see where Manchester City go from here.” Pep Guardiola left in the summer with the charges still hanging over his tenure (Photo: Getty) The Premier League refused to comment and City said the process remains “ongoing” but it raises the prospect of the 10-times title winners being hit with expulsion from the league, relegation, heavy points deductions and huge fines. Rio Ferdinand, who played for the Manchester United side that missed out to their city rivals in 2012, led calls to strip them of titles won in the period in question and award them to sides finishing second. Legal experts, however, believe that is an “unlikely” outcome. City’s stance remains that they are “calm” about the process and that nothing has materially changed but insiders have admitted to The i Paper it will be “tough” to concentrate on the season from here on in. Senior staff are understood to be “disillusioned” by not being given any indication during their “future planning” that this verdict was a possibility. A statement from City read: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023. “The club have diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.” The trophies Man City won from 2009-2018 Man City won three Premier League titles between 2009 and 2018 (Photo: Getty) With the teams who finished runners-up or City beat in the final in brackets. Premier League 2011-12 (Manchester United) 2013-14 (Liverpool) 2017-18 (Manchester United) FA Cup 2011 (Stoke City) League Cup 2014 (Sunderland) 2016 (Liverpool) 2018 (Arsenal) The charges span from the 2009-10 season to the 2017-18 campaign and relate to not providing accurate financial information, thus allowing them to comply with financial rules, and non co-operation with the Premier League. The potential ramifications of the decision feel absolutely huge, with City top of the Premier League with a 100 per cent record under new boss Enzo Maresca. They have spent more than £1bn on new players since the charges were levied and are understood to have given many of those stars – along with those, like Erling Haaland, who renewed their deals – assurances around the case. What happens next with them is uncertain. There is also the possibility that rivals seek compensation for missing out on titles, European qualification and even relegation during the period when City were claimed to have breached the rules. Read more Daniel Storey: Man City should be relegated and stripped of their titles Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs that have signalled their intention to pursue claims – and they will have been emboldened by Burnley winning their case over the summer against Everton, who breached PSR in the season the Clarets were relegated. They were instructed to pay £40m in compensation. “The fascinating element will be to see what the other clubs in both the Premier League and lower Leagues do in response to any findings, in light of the decision in the Burnley vs Everton case,” Daniel Gore said. “That case is under appeal but a precedent for damages as a result of financial breaches has been set.”