Man City guilty of breaching EPL financial rules, punishment still pending

Global football heavyweights Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 beaches of the English Premier League's financial regulations, according to multiple reports, after a years-long investigation.

In a decision that will send shockwaves through the sport, the club is now expected to face yet-to-be-determined penalties, which could range from reprimands and fines, to being docked competition points or expelled from the Premier League completely.

City were charged in 2023 with 115 breaches of the EPL's financial laws between 2009 and 2018.

A hearing last year, which lasted several weeks, saw an independent find the club guilty on all but one of the charges, according to The Athletic. 

Man City have always maintained they have done nothing wrong, and are expected to appeal.

Roughly two thirds of the charges related to breaches concerning financial reporting, profit and sustainability rules. The other third related to failing to cooperate with the EPL's investigation. 

While the independent panel's decision was widely reported in British media, the EPL has so far declined to comment or confirm it.

Manchester City released a statement on Friday, local time, which said the process "remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed".

"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence," it said.

During the period in question, City won three EPL titles, as well as the FA Cup and three League Cups.

This period of success was driven by massive financial investment from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the United Arab Emirates's ruling family, who bought the club in September 2008.

Man City is consistently rated among the most valuable football clubs globally, and have an enormous international fanbase.

It's understood other EPL clubs have been informed about the decision. 

Clubs found to have breached the Premier League's financial rules have previously been docked competition points.

If City had titles taken off them, it would be a bitter pill to swallow for the club's fans. When they finished top of the league in 2011-12, arch rivals Manchester United were runners-up.

That could mean the Red Devils are given the trophy retrospectively, something already being floated by some former Man U players, including Rio Ferdinand, who posted on social media on Friday: "Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet."