Manchester City have been found guilty of 115 charges relating to serious offences Premier League regulation, with the league confirming the long-awaited verdict on Tuesday.
City denied all allegations throughout the case, but an independent commission has now ruled against the club on all charges.
The Premier League issued a 1,545-word statement confirming the decision, ending an eight-year process that began with the league’s investigation into City’s financial affairs.
The club now has until Friday 2 October to exercise its right of appeal.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the decision as the biggest disciplinary ruling in the history of the competition.
“The core decision sets out the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League rules for nearly a decade.
“It also vindicates the Premier League’s decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. Although the process so far has been long and difficult, the League has remained determined to establish the facts independently.”
“It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are enforced to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and fans. We take this role very seriously.”
“This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in the history of the Premier League. There are elements of the case that still remain to be decided, including, above all, what sanction should follow for these violations. Now that we have the Commission’s decision, we are committed to moving quickly through the rest of the process, to give certainty to the League, our clubs and fans.”
The City Council maintains its innocence and is preparing an appeal
Manchester City responded by once again rejecting the commission’s findings and insisting there is evidence to support the club’s position.
The City Council said it was “disappointed and surprised” by the decision and confirmed it intends to continue the appeals process.
A statement from the club said: “Manchester City FC is disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, which was published today. The Club is innocent of the allegations made by the Premier League and there is a large body of irrefutable evidence in support of all its positions, in relation to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless and, if necessary, proactive, in all appropriate legal and regulatory forums.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements not completed. Manchester City FC will now pursue the avenues of appeal available to them, on the basis that the ruling contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would conduct themselves as an independent, impartial and fair regulator, free from partisan influence.
“The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are completed.”
The punishment is yet to be decided
Despite the scale of the verdict, Manchester City’s eventual punishment has yet to be confirmed.
The Premier League has stressed that the sanctions process is a separate stage of the case, meaning the commission’s findings do not immediately determine what disciplinary action the club will face.
Masters confirmed the sanctions are still pending and said the league wants the process to move forward as quickly as possible.
Possible punishments have been widely debated throughout the case, from point deductions to stripped titles, but no decision has yet been made on what consequences will flow from the 115 guilty verdicts.
City’s appeal could also prolong the process, as the club can now challenge the commission’s findings before any final outcome is reached.