Manchester City guilty of 114 financial breaches, appeal launched

Summarised from 3 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 8 Oct, 10:38 · Archive

Manchester City were found guilty of 114 Premier League financial rule breaches and have launched an appeal.

Manchester City were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent panel. The panel found that the club had used 'sham' sponsorship deals between 2009 and 2018 to inflate their revenue and avoid breaching Financial Fair Play rules. City denied all charges and submitted an appeal last week.

The charges cover failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons from 2009, failing to provide full details of player contract remuneration between 2010-11 and 2015-16, and failing to cooperate with the Premier League's investigation from 2018 to 2023. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in an open letter to supporters that 'nothing has changed' and the club's confidence in proving their innocence remained strong.

If the guilty verdict stands following the appeal, City faces various possible punishments including fines, points deductions, transfer bans or relegation from the Premier League. Both City and the Premier League will submit evidence to a new three-person independent panel for the appeal process.

Former City manager Pep Guardiola, now at Paris Saint-Germain, has publicly backed the club. He wrote on social media: 'I want every single fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman.' He is set to attend City's Champions League match against PSG next week.

The Telegraph reports that Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham were informed of the verdict in advance because they had given legal notice of their right to seek compensation. These four clubs signed non-disclosure agreements to view the judgement ahead of the other 15 Premier League clubs.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC he would be 'really concerned' if City's owners decided to sell up following the verdict. Senior club figures have expressed concern about political interference in the appeal process, with sources describing his comments as 'absolutely bizarre' and questioning what he was attempting to achieve.

How it is being reported

• Clubs fear political interference in Man City appealPremier League clubs are "concerned" about political interference in Manchester City's appeal after Prime Minister Andy Burnham's comments.BBC Manchester · 8 Oct, 10:16
• Man United 'notified early' of Man City charges verdict after instruction to lawyersIt was confirmed late last month that Manchester City have been found guilty on all counts of breaching the Premier League’s financial rulesManchester Evening News · 8 Oct, 10:15
• Man City charges news: Pep Guardiola returns as nightmare double punishment emergesThe latest news on Manchester City after the club were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rulesManchester Evening News · 8 Oct, 09:47
• Gary Lineker calls on Manchester City to 'own' Premier League punishment“That would be a blessing and save their face a little bit at the moment, although it doesn’t look likely.”Manchester World · 8 Oct, 08:08
• Man City charges LIVE: Dressing room leak, Andy Burnham warning, Kyle Walker hits outThe latest news and updates after Man City were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules, a verdict which they are appealingManchester Evening News · 8 Oct, 07:55
• 'Our club' - Man City matchgoing fans told how they can help each otherA lot of Manchester City fans aren't sure what to think after the 115 guilty verdicts but a book published recently has a message they can carry throughManchester Evening News · 8 Oct, 05:00
• Gary Lineker names Man City's most likely punishment - 'I wouldn't be surprised'Manchester City have been told by Gary Lineker that they could lose their four Premier League titles if an appeal is unsuccessfulManchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 21:17
• Ex-Premier League owner who brokered Man City deal gives verdict on 115 charges rulingAmanda Staveley has spoken out on Manchester City's Premier League financial charges and hopes the club and the league can reach a "resolution"Manchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 19:47
• Man City told 'stronger punishment' needed as 60-point deduction toutedMan City appealed their guilty verdict last week, but speculation continues in relation to a potential punishmentManchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 15:45
• 'Sporting justice' - Gianluigi Donnarumma agent speaks on Man City guilty verdictsManchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been spoken to by the club and reassured after they were found overwhelmingly guilty in the 115 caseManchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 14:49
• Ex-Man City captain speaks out on charges verdict - 'Whatever happens they can’t take that away'Kyle Walker has given his verdict on the Manchester City charges caseManchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 11:28
• Man City appeal thinking set out as next 115 charges steps clear - 'there is a sense'Manchester City are appealing the guilty verdict in the 115 charges caseManchester Evening News · 7 Oct, 05:00
• Man City charges appeal dealt fresh blow by 'UEFA evidence' as £30m claim madeManchester City's appeal against their guilty verdict for financial breaches faces a fresh setbackManchester Evening News · 6 Oct, 13:23

In this story: Manchester City · Premier League · Pep Guardiola · Khaldoon Al Mubarak · Andy Burnham · Paris Saint-Germain · Manchester United · Liverpool

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