Reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League remain unverified, with no official announcement having been made by the governing body or the independent commission as of September 25, 2026.
While widespread speculation has intensified, a Manchester City spokesperson reiterated that the process remains ongoing, contains significant elements yet to be completed, and continues to be subject to strict confidentiality. The club maintains a position consistent with their initial response from February 2023, firmly denying the allegations of financial rule breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
Status of the Independent Hearing
The independent commission held a 12-week hearing regarding the 115 charges between September and December 2024. This follows an investigation initiated by the Premier League in February 2023, which involved a complex forensic analysis of approximately half a million documents, including emails and financial records. Premier League CEO Richard Masters has consistently declined to provide updates on the timeline or specific status of the case, citing the confidential nature of the proceedings.
Legal experts suggest the scale of the case—which is widely considered unprecedented in English football—partially explains the lengthy duration since the conclusion of the hearing. The review process necessitates that both the club and the league examine the panel's report for required redactions before any publication can occur.
Potential Sanctions and Appeal Process
Under current Premier League regulations, should a breach be formally proven, the independent panel possesses the authority to issue a range of sanctions. These possibilities include formal reprimands, substantial financial penalties, significant points deductions, or expulsion from the competition. Any findings handed down by the commission would be subject to an appeals process, with both Manchester City and the Premier League entitled to lodge an appeal within 14 days of the verdict. Consequently, even after an initial finding is published, a definitive final resolution is considered unlikely to be immediate.
The club has previously maintained that their case is supported by a comprehensive body of evidence. The investigation encompasses five distinct categories, including failures to provide accurate financial information, incorrect reporting of player and manager payments, breaches of UEFA and Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, and failures to cooperate with investigations. Manchester City’s squad, now managed by Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola, continues to operate under the cloud of these unresolved proceedings as the legal cycle extends further into the current season.
