Manchester City say “significant elements” of their legal case with the Premier League are still to be completed amid reports they have been found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching the competition’s financial rules.
Multiple reports said the club had been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges laid by the league in February 2023, charges the club have always strenuously denied.
The Premier League has declined to comment, while a City spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.
“As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“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.”
Those “significant elements” would certainly include an appeal in the event of a guilty verdict against City, with the club having successfully overturned a two-year ban from European football imposed by UEFA after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It has been reported that no decisions have been reached regarding sanctions in the Premier League case, but if the independent commission’s verdict was upheld they could be expected to be extremely severe, given the nature of the alleged misconduct.
At the time City were referred to the commission in February 2023, they were en route to the third of four consecutive Premier League titles.
The investigation which ultimately resulted in more than 100 charges being laid started back in 2018.
City were charged with failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as failing to provide full details of former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13.
They were also charged with failing to provide full details of remuneration in contracts with players between 2010-11 and 2015-16, and with failing to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigation over a period from 2018 to 2023.
The club said at the time the charges were laid that they welcomed the opportunity for a commission “to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of our position”.
Four months after the charge was issued, the club won the Champions League for the first time in their history.
The commission hearing began on September 16, 2024 and concluded in December of the same year.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned people should not “jump to conclusions” on City, when asked whether they should be stripped of their Premier League titles.
He told ITV Granada Reports: “I’ve only just been made aware of it – I think these are reports at this stage. But if they’re confirmed, obviously I will want to look at the report of the independent commission.
“People shouldn’t jump to those kind of conclusions (about City having their titles taken off them). I know, this has been a long process between the club and the Premier League. I think quite a contested process. So I don’t think it’s as simple as jumping to conclusions.
“I think we would all need to study the independent commission’s report in some considerable detail before reaching any conclusions.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said: “The reports about the Premier League’s findings against Manchester City FC have profound implications for our national game.
“The extraordinary length and cost of this process raise serious concerns, and the affair again gives rise to questions about financial fairness across the football pyramid.
“The matter must be allowed to take its course and due process must be followed, but I sincerely hope any further stages are completed as swiftly as is reasonably possible.”
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