Manchester City Found Guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League Financial Charges in Seismic Verdict
The Manchester City 115 charges verdict is in — and it is as dramatic as the football world feared. Manchester City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, according to reports from The Athletic and The Times published on Friday, September 25, 2026. The club are expected to appeal, and sanctions have not yet been decided.
The reported ruling, issued by an independent commission, represents one of the most significant moments in English football history. It lands at the end of a saga that has overshadowed the Premier League for more than three years — and its consequences could reshape the champions’ future on and off the pitch.
What the Reports Say
David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the story on Friday, with The Times reporting the same outcome. According to sources briefed on the matter, the independent commission found City guilty on 114 of the 115 charges — an extraordinary scale of findings against the club that has dominated English football for the past decade.
The Reuters wire, carried by outlets including The Straits Times, described the development as potentially seismic for a case that “has hung over English football for years.” The Premier League declined to comment, telling reporters: “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”
City’s Response: “The Process Remains Ongoing”
Manchester City have not accepted the verdict. In a statement to British media, the club maintained that the case had not yet been concluded: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”
The statement added: “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 the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
The club has consistently denied any wrongdoing since the charges were first announced, and reports say it is expected to appeal — which means the legal fight is far from over.
The 115 Charges: A Recap
The Premier League referred City to an independent commission in February 2023 following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances. The 115 alleged breaches span the 2009-10 to 2022-23 seasons — more than a decade of alleged rule-breaking covering the years in which City rose from wealthy challengers to the most successful club in England.
According to reporting by Reuters, among the most serious allegations was that City failed in each season from 2009-10 to 2017-18 to provide accurate financial information giving a “true and fair view” of revenues — including sponsorship income — and operating costs. The club also faced allegations relating to manager and player remuneration, UEFA financial regulations, the Premier League’s profitability rules, and a failure to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
The stakes were reflected in the legal firepower on both sides: City hired lawyer David Pannick to lead their defence, while the Premier League was represented by Adam Lewis KC, according to British media reports.
Why This Verdict Is So Seismic
If confirmed, the guilty verdict would represent one of the most significant rulings in English football history and mark a major development in a case that has overshadowed the league for more than three years, Reuters noted. The proceedings have raised fundamental questions about financial regulation, competitive integrity, and how the league enforces its rules against its most successful clubs.
The timing adds another layer of drama. In May 2026, Pep Guardiola announced he will leave City at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing to a close a decade in charge that delivered one of the most successful eras in English football. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has already been appointed to take over from the 2026-27 season — meaning City’s new era could begin under the cloud of sanctions and an ongoing appeal.
What Happens Next: Sanctions and Appeal
The crucial point is that Friday’s reports cover the verdict, not the punishment. Sanctions have not yet been decided, with the process described as ongoing. Possible sanctions in such cases have historically ranged from heavy fines to points deductions — but no decision has been announced, and any penalty would itself be subject to appeal.
City’s expected appeal means the final resolution could still be months away. The club has eight years of due process behind it and has shown no sign of backing down. For the Premier League, the case is a defining test of its regulatory credibility; for City, it is a fight for the reputation of its modern dynasty.
Conclusion
The Manchester City 115 charges verdict is the biggest story English football has seen off the pitch in years — a reported guilty finding on 114 of 115 charges that could redraw the map of the Premier League’s power structure. But with City disputing that the process is over and an appeal expected, this is a developing story, not a finished one. Watch for the sanctions decision and the appeal timetable: those will determine whether this verdict becomes a footnote in City’s dynasty or its turning point.
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