The prolonged case against Manchester City, which begin in 2009, appears to have taken a decisive turn as reports emerge that the football club has been found guilty of all but one of the 115 allegations of breaches of the English Premier League’s financial rules. It is understood that City will appeal, indicating that the process was not yet complete. Therefore, the case now moves to a different phase and is far from over.
Al Jazeera takes a closer look at where matters stand for City, their fans, their rival clubs and the game as a whole. A guilty verdict would represent one of the most significant rulings in English football history, in a case that has overshadowed the league for more than three years. The proceedings have raised questions about financial regulation, competitive integrity and how the league enforces its rules against its most successful clubs.
City, however, have always denied any wrongdoing and have issued a statement maintaining that stance. The Premier League referred City to an independent commission in February 2023 over alleged breaches of financial rules spanning the 2009-10 to 2022-23 seasons. The club have consistently denied wrongdoing.
Among the most serious allegations was that City failed in each season from 2009-10 to 2017-18 to provide accurate financial information giving a “true and fair view” of revenues, including sponsorship income, and operating costs. City hired lawyer David Pannick to lead their defence, while the Premier League was represented by Adam Lewis, according to British media reports. The hearing began on September 16, 2024, and concluded nearly three months later on December 6.
An independent commission of three people, appointed by the independent chair of the Premier League Judicial Panel, heard the case. Former City midfielder Rodri said late Friday he had always trusted the club’s insistence that it had done nothing wrong and said the players had shared that belief throughout the case. The Spanish football captain, who led his nation to World Cup 2026 glory, transferred to Barcelona in the summer window.
European football’s governing body UEFA banned City from the Champions League for two years in 2020 after finding the club had overstated sponsorship revenue between 2012 and 2016. City, however, successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned the ban. Since Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in 2008, City have won eight Premier League titles, the Champions League, four FA Cups and seven League Cups.
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