Manchester City has enjoyed an era of serial victories since 2008, when the Abu Dhabi Group assumed control of the club’s administrative affairs, through to the period when Pep Guardiola made his mark. However, Manchester City’s charges could cause serious doubt about that, according to the verdict of an Independent Panel.
Recall that sometime in February 2023, the Premier League charged City with some breaches of the Financial Fair Play rules from 2009 to 2018. During this period, City, who rebuilt their midfield this summer, won the Premier League three times, lifted the FA Cup twice, won the Carabao Cup four times and lifted the Community Shield once.
Unfortunately, it appears all these titles may be lost, as Manchester City’s charges include:
1. Failure to provide precise and correct financial information from the 2009/2010 season to the 2017/2018 season.
2. Failure to provide accurate information regarding player and manager payouts from the 2009/2010 season to the 2017/2018 season.
3. Failure to adhere to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Rules, from the 2013/2014 season to the 2017/2018 season.
Manchester City’s charges also include:
- Breaching the Premier League’s PSR (Profitability & Sustainability Rules) seven times from 2015/16 to 2017/18.
- Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023.
Sky Sports reports that all but one of the 115 charges have been proved, which is the most serious of all offences the one-time Champions League winners were charged with.
Manchester City’s 115 Charges: Possible Punishment Likely Imposed
City’s punishment, if found guilty and they do not appeal, may not be different from that of other Premier League clubs that were also found guilty of some serious charges in the past. For instance, Everton got deducted eight points, and Nottingham Forest got deducted four points during the 2023/2024 season.
Even Chelsea were found guilty in 2018 and were imposed with a €10 million fine, as Leicester City received a six-point deduction around February 5, 2026.
Since none of these clubs was stripped of the titles they won during this period, it’s hoped City’s won’t be an exception. Instead, it is assumed the club could be slammed with the following:
- Reprimanding
- ️Unlimited Fine
- Transfer restrictions/Ban
- ️Points Deduction
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes that justice should be served and that the Cityzens should be relegated. The former Liverpool defender said:
“I don’t see a world where they [Manchester City] continue in the Premier League. It is an injustice if that happens. I have been hearing things like 20 points deduction from people, but I don’t think these people know the gravity of all these charges.”
Despite this, City, who’ve been top gear this season, are confident they would emerge victorious upon appeal. Prominent figures in the club are calm about the situation and predict that Manchester City’s charges would be a thing of the past.
In fact, Rodri, who now plays for FC Barcelona, stated:
“The club always expresses confidence that they never did anything wrong, and we believe that. Until the moment they’re proven wrong, we will believe the club. I’ve been there, I know how they work and cooperate.”
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What Manchester City’s Charges Mean For Premier League Clubs
As per David Ornstein, Premier League clubs are, through their lawyers and representatives, prepared to take legal action in respect of the outcome of Manchester City’s charges. Amongst the clubs are Manchester United and Liverpool. For Liverpool, it means they get to win the Premier League trophies City won when the Reds came second.
Also, based on Manchester City’s charges, Liverpool may be asking for €100 million in damages, being the sum they would have accrued had it been them that won the title that year Jürgen Klopp drove them to second.
For the Red Devils, Manchester City’s charges mean they could be awarded two Premier League titles. In fact, Rio Ferdinand couldn’t hold his joy, and the ex-United Centre-back stated:
“Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet.”
Extra Time Notes
It isn’t over yet; Manchester City’s charges could still be dismissed as the club intends to appeal the decision of the Independent Panel. If they are successful with the appeal, these 115 charges that continuously loom over their head, will be a thing of the past.
For now, Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 out of the 115 charges made against them, and the Cityzens will look to fight hard to appeal these and get back to a blank canvas.
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