Manchester City found guilty of 114 charges as financial case rocks English football

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial‑rule charges brought by the Premier League, the club’s legal saga that began in February 2023 was confirmed on Friday, The Athletic reported.

The Premier League’s investigation was triggered after German newspaper Der Spiegel published leaked financial documents in November 2018. Those documents alleged that Manchester City had inflated sponsorship income from Abu Dhabi‑based firms Etihad and Etisalat by disguising investment from Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group as commercial revenue. Additional evidence cited by the league suggested off‑the‑books payments to former manager Roberto Mancini through consultancy fees from an Abu Dhabi club.

The league charged the club with failing to provide accurate financial information, including details of payments to players and coaches, and with breaching its financial sustainability rules that govern spending relative to revenue.

Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released in February 2023, the club said it was “surprised” by the charges and welcomed a review by an independent commission, asserting that “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of its position”. The club’s spokesperson, quoted by The Athletic, reiterated that “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 spokesperson added that the club had “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.”

The timing of the verdict is notable because Manchester City sit atop the Premier League table after five matches in the 2026 season. The club’s on‑field success has been underpinned by substantial commercial deals, particularly the long‑standing partnership with Etihad Airways, which has been a cornerstone of its revenue model.

The charges relate to financial periods between 2009 and 2018, a decade that saw the club’s transformation into a global brand and a series of high‑profile signings funded by what the league now alleges were misrepresented sponsorship revenues.

The Premier League has not yet disclosed the specific penalties that may be imposed. Potential sanctions, as outlined in the league’s regulatory framework, include points deductions, monetary fines and, in the most severe scenario, expulsion from the competition.

The league’s precedent includes points deductions handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest during the 2023‑24 season for breaches of profit and sustainability rules, indicating that punitive measures are likely to be calibrated to the severity of the infractions.

The ramifications of a sanction extend beyond the club itself. A points deduction could alter the title race and affect qualification for European competitions, which in turn would impact broadcasting revenues and sponsorship valuations across the league.

For Malaysian investors and regional stakeholders who track the Premier League’s commercial health, any reduction in the league’s marketability could influence the pricing of related financial products, such as sports‑focused exchange‑traded funds and media rights deals that involve Asian broadcasters.

The independent hearing that delivered the verdict began more than two years ago and has been conducted under strict confidentiality. While the league has not released the full findings, the sheer volume of charges—114 convictions out of 115—suggests that the investigative panel found substantial evidence supporting the allegations.

The club’s legal team is expected to appeal any sanctions, a process that could further delay the final resolution and keep the issue in the public eye throughout the season.

The next step is the Premier League’s disciplinary panel meeting to determine the appropriate punishment. The league’s decision will be announced after the panel reviews the findings and considers any submissions from Manchester City. The outcome will set a benchmark for how financial‑rule breaches are addressed in English football and could shape future regulatory approaches, including the scrutiny of sponsorship arrangements involving sovereign wealth funds and state‑linked entities.

Related: Manchester City · Premier League