The English Premier League has found Manchester City guilty of breaching financial fair play rules over a nine-season period. The league's investigation, which began in December 2018, revealed that Manchester City had committed serious breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. The club was accused of presenting misleading financial accounts, concealing its true financial position, and breaching spending limits set by the Premier League and UEFA.
According to the Premier League, Manchester City entered into fictitious contracts with commercial partners, and also used fake agreements with others to artificially inflate revenue and reduce costs. The club's owners, Abu Dhabi United Group for Investment and Development Limited (ADUG), funded these arrangements, which allowed Manchester City to disguise its true financial position. The Premier League's investigation found that Manchester City's actions showed a clear intention to circumvent the league's rules.
The Premier League's independent commission found that Manchester City had breached the league's profitability and sustainability rules, as well as UEFA's licensing and financial fair play regulations. The commission's report, which was published on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, detailed the extent of Manchester City's breaches, including the use of fictitious contracts and the concealment of financial information.
The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said that the decision confirmed the facts of the case and highlighted the severity of Manchester City's breaches. Masters emphasized that the league had a responsibility to ensure that clubs complied with the rules, and that the case demonstrated the league's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the competition.
Manchester City has been given until Friday, October 2, 2026, to appeal the decision. If the club chooses to appeal, the process is expected to be completed as quickly as possible. The Premier League's independent commission will now consider the issue of sanctions in a separate hearing.
The Premier League's investigation and disciplinary process involves several stages, including an initial investigation, a complaint, and a hearing before an independent commission. The commission's decision is subject to appeal, and the process is designed to ensure that clubs are treated fairly and that the integrity of the competition is maintained.
The case against Manchester City is one of the most significant in Premier League history, and the outcome has major implications for the club and the league as a whole. The Premier League's rules are designed to promote financial sustainability and fair play, and the case demonstrates the league's commitment to enforcing these rules.
Key points
- Manchester City found guilty of breaching English Premier League financial fair play rules over a nine-season period.
- The club's owners, Abu Dhabi United Group for Investment and Development Limited (ADUG), funded fictitious contracts and arrangements that allowed Manchester City to disguise its true financial position.
- Manchester City has been given until Friday, October 2, 2026, to appeal the decision.
