Manchester City were found guilty of large-scale financial rule-breaking in English football's biggest modern scandal, with an independent panel concluding the club artificially inflated its revenue to circumvent financial fair-play rules.
The verdict, published in the week ending 2 October 2026, found City guilty of the serious financial charges brought by the Premier League. The club was found to have arranged 'sham' contracts with commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs over a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018, hiding around £900 million in illicit payments. The charges, originally 115 in number, grew to 130 through amended counts.
In a stunning accompanying statement, the Premier League alleged City had 'systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade'. City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal, insisting that 'irrefutable evidence' will see a new panel rule in their favour. No sanction has yet been decided, but the club faces the prospect of substantial points deductions, a fine, or even expulsion from the top flight. An appeal verdict is expected in early 2027 under new fast-track protocols.
The club's stars have now broken their silence. Erling Haaland told Sky Sports: 'We have to stick together and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile.' New manager Enzo Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola in the summer, said in a club interview: 'Personally I'm very calm to be honest. The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club.' Pep Guardiola himself sent a message of support: 'We will get through this together.'
Gary Lineker took a harder line, calling on City to 'accept whatever punishment' they are given for the good of the game. 'Obviously, it looks really bad for Manchester City, and bad for the game, too,' the former England captain said at Leaders Week London. He added that he would not be surprised if titles won during the period were stripped, while acknowledging that 'the players and the fans' would suffer.
Liverpool, who finished two points behind City in the 2013-14 title race, have written to the club giving notice of a plan to claim damages. City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in their first match since the verdict, with the team warned to expect a 'brutal' atmosphere.
The appeal process is expected to conclude in early 2027 under the league's new fast-track protocols, which require a verdict within 12 weeks of submission. In the meantime, the club must play on under a cloud, starting with Sunday's trip to Anfield. Liverpool are among several clubs weighing compensation claims for titles lost during the nine-year period under investigation. Former players including Kyle Walker have said the squad will always have their memories of the triumphs, whatever happens. The outcome of the appeal will shape the future of the club and potentially the competitive landscape of English football.