Manchester City’s long-running Premier League charges case has reportedly moved into its appeal phase, with an independent tribunal said to have found the majority of the club’s 115 charges proven, according to multiple reports.
What has been reported
An independent tribunal is understood to have reached decisions on the full set of charges brought against Manchester City, with reports indicating that most of them have been found proven. Sources close to the process suggest the case is now moving forward into an appeal stage.
The Premier League has declined to comment publicly, stressing that the process remains private and confidential and that no further guidance will be provided at this time.
Manchester City’s response
A Manchester City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements yet to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. The club reiterated that its position remains consistent with the statement it issued back in February 2023, and stressed that it has diligently respected due process for eight years on the understanding that the Premier League board and executive would act as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.
A reminder of the charges
Manchester City were charged with breaching the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018 and with failing to cooperate fully with the league’s investigation between 2019 and 2023. The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that its defence is backed by a substantial body of irrefutable evidence.
The charges break down into several categories. Fifty-four relate to failing to provide accurate financial information to the league. A further 35 concern an alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation between December 2018 and February 2023. Fourteen charges relate to a failure to provide accurate details of player and manager payments covering the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. Seven charges concern alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules during the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons, while a further five relate to an alleged failure to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations, including Financial Fair Play rules, in the 2013-14 and 2017-18 campaigns.
What punishment could follow
Should the findings against Manchester City ultimately stand, the Premier League retains broad discretion over any sanction. Under current rules, the punishment could range from a straightforward fine to a significant points deduction, or even, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the league. There is no fixed tariff for financial rule breaches, a deliberate choice made by clubs in the past out of concern that a known punishment might encourage some to simply break the rules and accept the consequences.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters indicated back in February 2025 that the league was considering introducing a formal sanctions grid, setting out agreed penalties for different categories of rule breaches, though no such framework has yet been put in place.
Previous cases offer some sense of scale. Everton were docked six points, later reduced to two on appeal, during the 2023/24 season for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules, while Nottingham Forest were deducted four points in the same campaign. Further back, Luton Town were hit with a 30-point deduction in 2008/09, split between illegal payments to agents and exiting administration without a company voluntary arrangement, while Derby County were deducted 21 points in 2021/22 for a combination of administration and financial irregularities.
Quick Facts
- An independent tribunal has reportedly reached decisions on all 115 charges against Manchester City.
- Reports suggest the majority of the charges have been found proven, with the case moving to appeal.
- The charges cover alleged breaches of Premier League and UEFA financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
- Possible sanctions range from a fine to a points deduction or even expulsion from the league.
- Everton and Nottingham Forest were both docked points for similar breaches during the 2023/24 season.
- Manchester City continues to deny any wrongdoing and says its defence is backed by irrefutable evidence.
This remains a fast-developing story with major implications for English football. Fans across Kenya and East Africa can continue to follow all the latest Premier League news and updates live on DStv SuperSport as the case progresses.
