Manchester City, a prominent English football club, has been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules by using commercial agreements to disguise over £830 million in funding. An independent commission ruled that the club used "sham contracts" with several commercial partners between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The commission found City guilty of all charges brought against it, except one concerning its failure to cooperate with the Premier League's investigation.
The findings were detailed in a redacted report published by the Premier League, which confirmed that City had been found guilty of most of the 115 financial breaches it faced. The commission said the case involved well over 100 alleged individual breaches, grouped into four main categories. According to the report, some commercial arrangements used by City did not represent their true economic value, and the club relied on agreements that helped increase its reported revenue while lowering its costs.
The commission described the arrangements as part of a "disguised funding scheme" valued at £830.69 million. The report accused the club of "deliberate or reckless conduct intended to circumvent the Premier League rules." The arrangements helped City avoid recording what would have been the biggest single-season loss in Premier League history during the 2009-10 season. The Premier League said the commission's findings established the facts surrounding the club's conduct during the period under review.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the findings supported the decision to pursue the case against City despite the lengthy process. Masters emphasized that the League has a key responsibility to ensure that the rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. He stated that the League takes its role extremely seriously and remains determined to establish the facts independently.
The punishment for the breaches will not be decided as part of the current proceedings. Instead, Manchester City's sanction will be considered at a separate hearing before the independent commission. The rules require the hearing to remain private and confidential. City has until Friday, October 2, to lodge an appeal against the commission's findings.
Culture, Media & Sport secretary Lisa Nandy expressed concern over the report, stating that it is "incredibly serious" and has raised concerns among supporters of the club and the wider Premier League. Manchester City has strongly rejected the conclusions, denying any wrongdoing and maintaining that it has substantial evidence supporting its position. The club will pursue appeal avenues available to it, arguing that the commission's opinion contains errors relating to law, principle, and fact.
The commission's findings leave the case at a further stage, with the separate hearing on sanctions and City's appeal still pending. The club's response demonstrates its commitment to defending its position, while the Premier League's determination to uphold its rules has been reaffirmed. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Manchester City and the wider football community.
Key points
- Manchester City found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules using commercial agreements to disguise £830m in funding.
- The club faces a separate hearing for sanctions and has until October 2 to lodge an appeal against the commission's findings.
- The Premier League's determination to uphold its rules has been reaffirmed, with chief executive Richard Masters emphasizing the League's responsibility to protect the integrity of the competition.
