Man City verdict LIVE: Premier League club found guilty of 114 charges as rivals 'consider legal action'
Man City verdict LIVE: Premier League club found guilty of 114 charges as rivals 'consider legal action' Manchester City have finally received the verdict from the Premier League on their alleged breaches of financial rules, with the club guilty on all but one of the 115 charges Manchester City have finally received the verdict from the Premier League commission on their alleged breaches of financial rules. City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them. The club has always strenuously denied the allegations and plan to appeal against the verdict, which covers a nine-year period stretching from 2009 to 2018. “The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence," City said in a statement. City's hearing against the Premier League took place way back in late 2024 and the saga is likely to continue even further. The commission can impose any punishment they see fit, with points deductions, financial penalties, or even expulsion from the Premier League, all on the table. Enzo Maresca's side currently sit top of the league, having won all five of their matches this season. Follow all the latest from Mirror Football below, including breaking news and analysis. Key Events Goodnight! That's all we've got time for this evening. Make sure you join us tomorrow for even more reaction to this huge story. No relegation clause in Haaland deal We're still some way from finding out what punishment City will face but relegation has been mentioned. Should that happen, you'd imagine some players would look for a move. But according to SPORT, it might be difficult for Haaland. It is suggested that the City striker does NOT have a relegation clause written into his deal at the Etihad Stadium. De Gea fires cheeky jibe We've had Rio Ferdinand, and it's now the turn of another former Man United star to twist the knife. Taking to Twitter, ex-Red Devils goalkeeper David De Gea wrote: "So…… Let’s talk. How many Premier League titles have I won then?" Haaland BANNED from press conference We've had Rodri chatting this evening and it appears that we were meant to have Erling Haaland as well. Unfortunately, he's been pulled out of press conference duty by the Norway national team. According to The Sun, Haaland was set to meet with the media tonight but the decision has been made to pull him from media duty to shield him from any questions. Rui Pinto offers his take Rui Pinto, the whistleblower from Football Leaks, has taken to X with his reaction to the City verdict. He said: "A historic decision for English football, and one that comes to crown the work I carried out through Football Leaks. "Today, we all know that, through structural manipulation and financial manoeuvring, Manchester City did not merely circumvent the rules, they turned them into a mere formality, challenging any attempt to preserve the integrity of the competition. "That meticulously orchestrated fraud will finally be subject to punishment, and the impact will not merely be turbulent, but truly devastating for the Cityzens. Ironically, I cannot help but remember Pep Guardiola's words at his first press conference as City manager: 'Fasten your seat belts'." Rodri speaks out Former Manchester City captain Rodri believes Man City are 'innocent' despite having been found guilty of 114 of the charges. Speaking in a Spain press conference, he said: "I believe in the justice system and I believe in the innocence of the club…” Premier League clubs consider legal action This could be very worrying news for Manchester City. According to The Athletic, Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the eight-time champions. Several sides have instructed lawyers, albeit any action would be dependent on any appeal. It looks like this one could roll on and on... Man City manager list Man City's charges relate to the period between 2009 and 2018. The club have had an array of managers since then. Take a look at the full list below: Keys demands Man City apology Richard Keys has demanded an apology from Man City after they were found guilty of 114 Premier League charges. Taking to Twitter, he said: "The bottom line is Manchester City owe English football an apology. They cheated & warped our game. I know it’s nothing to do with the guys on the pitch but most of them wouldn’t have been there if City had played by the rules. Their achievements feel very hollow right now." Prime Minister urges calm Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged people to to 'jump to conclusions' when it comes to City's charges. He said: “I’ve only just been made aware of it – I think these are reports at this stage. But if they’re confirmed, obviously I will want to look at the report of the independent commission. “People shouldn’t jump to those kind of conclusions (about City having their titles taken off them). I know, this has been a long process between the club and the Premier League. I think quite a contested process. So I don’t think it’s as simple as jumping to conclusions. “I think we would all need to study the independent commission’s report in some considerable detail before reaching any conclusions.” Real Madrid keeping close eye on City Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly keeping a close eye on Manchester City ahead of potential future raids. According to SPORT, chiefs at the Spanish club are monitoring the legal situation ahead of possible future moves for some of their players. Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Josko Gvardiol have all been linked with moves to the Bernabeu in the past. Ex-City captain to face the press Intriguingly, former Manchester City captain Rodri is set to appear in a Spanish press conference this evening ahead of his country's clash with England at Wembley. We'll be bringing you all of the latest updates so stay tuned... DCMS respond to City charges Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairCaroline Dinenage MP has spoken out after Manchester City have been found guilty. A statement read: "The reports about the Premier League's findings against Manchester City FC have profound implications for our national game. “The extraordinary length and cost of this process raise serious concerns, and the affair again gives rise to questions about financial fairness across the football pyramid. “The matter must be allowed to take its course and due process must be followed, but I sincerely hope any further stages are completed as swiftly as is reasonably possible.” City 'could be playing non-league football' Former Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has claimed that Man City could end up playing non-league football. Speaking to Hajper, he said: "What an incredible situation for Man City. My reaction is that this could be absolutely game-changing, something like we've never seen before. I think even in other leagues in Europe, there probably isn't a precedent for something like this."I'm really curious to see how the appeal goes and how much Man City can limit the damage, but I do think that they could be playing non-league football. I wouldn't be surprised if they get booted out of all of the EFL and the massive amount of reputational damage to this football club and the way they've done their business and their history and tradition, they are going to be scarred."It's sad for the fans but ultimately punishment is needed and the rules have to be followed so fair play to the Premier League and everyone else who is making this stand. We'll see what happens at appeal." Shearer slams Man City spending Premier League icon Alan Shearer has previously questioned how City were able to spend huge amounts this summer with their charges hanging over them. Speaking to Betfair, he said: "You're paying that amount of investment out to win the league. So, City now have to be title challengers. And if they don't win the league then I guess the manager would be under huge pressure. You don't spend that money to finish second or third."I haven't got a clue how Man City have been able to spend the money they have whilst they are still under those charges."I mean I get why there's so many questions being asked, it's just gone on too long, hasn't it? I saw an interview with Richard Masters not so long ago when he said that I understand how everyone views it and looks at it, but he says it's the independent commission decision, so I don't know. I really don't know." Man City look forward to next game It doesn't get any easier for Man City over the coming weeks. Their next game sees them against former title rivals Liverpool at Anfield. Reckon the hosts might want a Premier League trophy and a League Cup, as well as three points? Trophies dished out Some fans might be intrigued to know if City will see any of their titles taken off of them. At this stage, it is unclear. But should the Premier League go down that route, Manchester United will be awarded two titles, while Liverpool will receive one. When it comes to other honours, Stoke City would have a FA Cup to their name, while Sunderland, Liverpool and Arsenal may receive League Cups. Arteta clear on wrongdoing Speaking in 2023, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta assured that he saw no signs of wrongdoing during his spell with Manchester City. And then the following year, he left the decision in the hands of the decision makers at the Premier League. He said: "That’s something for the authorities to manage. It’s not for us. If they’re playing that means they can play and they are entitled to play. That’s it." Maresca has spoken out One man who might be concerned by the latest developments is boss Enzo Maresca. Speaking earlier this season, he urged his players not to be distracted by the ongoing process. “The only thing I can say is three years ago, the Treble season, I was here [as Guardiola's assistant], and it was the same words about this. In three years, it’s still the same,” the Italian coach said. “Nothing has happened. I don’t have any concerns personally.” Title-stripping precedent Manchester City were extremely successful on the pitch during the nine-year period that these charges relate to, 2009 to 2018. They won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup twice, the Carabao Cup four times and the Community Shield. The commission has the power to strip them of all of those titles. Of course, we don't yet know if they will do so. But it raises the prospect of some messy rewriting of the history books. There is precedent, albeit elsewhere. Juventus were stripped of two Serie A titles in the mid-2000s, relegated to Serie B and docked points, following the Calciopoli corruption scandal. How the appeals process works Manchester City will appeal against the ruling of the independent commission, who have issued a judgement on the financial rule-breaking. Once the official judgement is made public, both sides - Man City and the Premier League - have 14 days in which to appeal. That appeal would then be heard by a new three-person panel, selected by Murray Rosen KC, the chair of the Premier League's judicial panel. It would delay any sanctions, like points deductions, financial penalties or expulsion from the league. Once the outcome of that appeal has been heard, that will be it. Neither side will be able to take the case any further, for example to Cas (Court of Arbitration for Sport). The upshot is that we will be handed another long wait for an outcome to this long-running saga. Man City's possible punishments In short, the commission can do whatever they see fit. There are no set sanctions for financial rule breaches. The Premier League's rules state that the sanction could be a points deduction, a fine or even the nuclear option: expulsion from the Premier League. There are some precedents: Everton were deducted six and then two points for PSR breaches, while Nottingham Forest were deducted four points. City's charges are, of course, much more severe. Ferdinand wades in Rio Ferdinand has had his say on X, writing: "Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet" along with an eyes emoji. Ferdinand was part of the Manchester United team who finished second behind City in the famous 2010/11 Premier League season. It remains to be seen whether City would be retrospectively stripped of their titles in the nine-year period. Should Man City be expelled from the Premier League? Have your say. What do you think the outcome should be? Add your thoughts in the comments section below. A long wait finally over The Premier League brought the case against Manchester City in February 2023. City's hearing, to a three-person independent commission at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, took place from September 16 to December 6 in 2024. The club, the Premier League, all of their rivals and supporters have been waiting for its outcome ever since. Pep Guardiola said in February 2025 that he was expecting it within "one month". We are finally there. Financial rule-breaking The Premier League have alleged that Manchester City failed to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period. It has been alleged that they didn't fully disclose the financial remunerations that were made to one of their managers over a four-year period. The Premier League also says City broke UEFA's own financial fair play rules over a five-year period. When the Premier League charges emerged in February 2023, City responded by saying they had a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" which would see them cleared of any wrongdoing. A glittering era tainted Manchester City won the Premier League title three times during the nine-year period when the alleged financial rule-breaking occurred. Their first ever Premier League title came in 2010/11 under Roberto Mancini's management, before a second in 2013/14 under Manuel Pellegrini and a third - and the first of six for Pep Guardiola - in 2017/18. It was during this period that City became the powerhouse we are now familiar with. Maresca had 'no concerns' Enzo Maresca took over as Manchester City manager this summer, succeeding his former colleague Pep Guardiola as manager. Asked about the looming verdict in July, he was unworried. “The only thing I can say is three years ago, the Treble season, I was here [as Guardiola's assistant], and it was the same words about this. In three years, it’s still the same,” he said. “Nothing has happened. I don’t have any concerns personally." The Italian has won all five of his Premier League matches so far with City, who are top of the Premier League. He might be concerned now. Man City statement “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 told The Athletic, who broke the news this afternoon. “The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.” What are the charges? City are accused of breaking the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-year period stretching from 2009 to 2018. They have always strongly denied the allegations, which have cast a shadow over their massive success under owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.