Manchester City is facing a reported setback in its long-running Premier League financial case, with reports indicating that an independent panel upheld nearly all of more than 100 charges against the club.

Table Of Content

Club expected to appeal
Rivals prepare possible claims
Proceedings remain unresolved

The Athletic reported that City was found guilty of all but one of the charges, although sanctions had not yet been determined. The club has not confirmed the reported decision and said its proceedings with the Premier League remain ongoing.

“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” Manchester City said in a statement. The club added that its position “remains consistent” with previous comments and said it had “diligently respected due process for eight years.”

Club expected to appeal

A person with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, said Manchester City would appeal if it were found guilty. The appeal process could take several months, according to the person.

The Premier League said it could not comment on the reports. The uncertainty means that the final outcome of the case, including any punishment, has not been established.

Possible sanctions could include a significant points deduction or, in an extreme case, expulsion from the Premier League. However, no final punishment had been decided, according to The Athletic’s report.

Rivals prepare possible claims

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly lodged formal legal notices reserving their right to seek compensation from Manchester City, according to British press reports.

Industry experts interviewed by The Independent estimated that potential compensation claims could exceed £200 million, depending on the eventual sanctions and any revenues considered to have been lost. That figure remains a projection rather than an established liability.

The Premier League brought the charges in February 2023, accusing Manchester City of providing misleading financial information over the period from 2009 to 2018. The club has denied the allegations.

The case followed the publication of alleged leaked emails and documents by German magazine Der Spiegel beginning in 2018. The documents allegedly indicated that City had attempted to conceal the source of revenue from deals linked to Abu Dhabi. The financial breaches remain allegations in the ongoing proceedings.

Proceedings remain unresolved

Manchester City has become the dominant team in England over the past 15 years, winning eight Premier League titles since 2012 and the Champions League in 2023. Three of those league titles came during the period covered by the allegations: 2012, 2014 and 2018.

Despite the reports of the panel’s findings, the club’s statement stressed that important parts of the process were still incomplete. Any appeal, sanctions and potential compensation claims will depend on the formal conclusion of the case.