Premier League Finds Manchester City Guilty Of Financial Rule Breaches
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of serious Premier League financial rule breaches from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The ruling found that the club inflated revenue and reduced costs by more than £900m.
Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
The findings were made by an independent commission. According to the Premier League, City used sham commercial agreements to inflate revenue and reduce costs by more than £900m.
The commission also found that the club filed misstated accounts, concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators, and significantly breached both Premier League and UEFA spending limits.
The £900m Finding
The Premier League said some sponsorship arrangements were part of a disguised funding scheme involving Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, then the club’s owner.
Those arrangements enabled City to report revenue and operating costs that did not reflect the true financial position. The commission concluded that the club had clearly intended to circumvent Premier League rules.
City were also found guilty of three of the four alleged breaches concerning their duty to cooperate with the Premier League investigation. The commission said the club made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the process.
What Happens Next?
No sanction has yet been imposed. The punishment will be determined in a separate hearing before the independent commission.
Premier League rules allow for fines, points deductions and other sporting sanctions, but no outcome has been announced. Manchester City have until Friday, 2 October to appeal the findings.
The current Premier League table and City’s historic titles remain unchanged unless a future sanction or appeal decision determines otherwise.
City Remain Top Of The Table
Manchester City are currently top of the Premier League with nine points from their opening three matches of the 2026/27 season. The ruling concerns historic conduct, but the eventual sanction could have major consequences for the club and the competition.
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Sources: Premier League, 29 September 2026; Independent Commission Redacted Core Decision.
