Manchester City guilty of breaking financial rules, sources say
Manchester City guilty of breaking financial rules, sources say
- Published
One of the UK's most successful football clubs, Manchester City, has been found guilty of more than 100 financial rule breaches, according to sources.
The charges, or accusations, against the club are about events from between 2009 and 2018.
The Premier League, whose job it is to make sure clubs in England follow the rules, carried out a four year investigation into the club.
An independent commission, separate from the league and City - looked at this evidence and according to sports news source, The Athletic, have found City guilty of 114 charges against them.
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What rules did Manchester City break?
In 2018 German newspaper Der Spiegel suggested that Manchester City had broken financial fair play rules.
These rules are designed to keep the competition fair and make sure no one club unfairly dominates the league.
Clubs are required to be honest about how much money they are making and spending as part of these rules.
In 2023, after four years of investigation, the Premier League charged Manchester City with breaking a number of these rules between 2009-2018.
There were 115 charges against them and The Athletic say they have been found guilty of 114 of them.
During those years City won three Premier League titles, the FA cup and three league cups.
Man City fans will be waiting to see how the verdict affects their team's future.
The accusations included;
Man City failing to work with the Premier League's investigation into the club's finances.
The club failing to provide "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position" and "details for player and manager payments" from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
BBC Sport's Harry Hansen said that if they did do this it would mean City "had more money to spend on transfer deals (players) and coaches".
The BBC has been told Manchester City will appeal the decision and have always denied any wrongdoing.
What punishments could Man City face?
Manchester City were found guilty of 114 out of 115 breaches of financial rules they had been accused of by the Premier League.
There has been no announcement of the punishments Manchester City will face.
We may not find out straight away what action will be taken, but City could be deducted points, face a huge fine or even be removed from the top division of English football at the end of the season.
What have City and the Premier League said?
The Etihad Stadium in Manchester
Man City declined to comment on whether they had been found guilty, instead providing a statement which read: "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 has 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 Premier League declined to comment on the case when approached on Friday.
What have other teams said?
Manchester City won the 2011/2012 Premier League title in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season, beating Manchester United to the top spot.
Between 2009 and 2018, City won the Premier League three times.
The second placed teams during those seasons were Manchester United in 2011/12 and 2017/18 and Liverpool in 2013/14.
In 2011 Man City won the FA Cup, beating Stoke City 1- 0 in the final.
They also picked up the EFL Trophy three times beating Sunderland, Liverpool and Arsenal.
It is understood that other Premier League clubs have sought legal advice over whether they could be entitled to financial compensation due to Manchester City's offences.
There are lengthy legal processes that need to be worked through before any punishments are given.
