Manchester City have been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations in a landmark ruling that threatens to reshape English football. An independent commission, appointed by the Premier League, concluded that the club violated rules covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons, a period in which City won three Premier League titles. The club has always denied wrongdoing and has lodged an appeal against the commission's findings, with any sanction still to be decided.
The possible punishments range from a heavy fine to a points deduction or even expulsion from the league, and the verdict has divided the football world. Former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who came through the club's academy, told Flashscore he would not support stripping the players of their medals. "What the players, the fans and the manager brought to the team, you can't buy," he said, adding that the team gelled in a way that money alone could not explain. Wright-Phillips also backed new manager Enzo Maresca, who has taken over following Pep Guardiola, and urged that he not be measured against his predecessor.
The verdict was announced during the October international break, at a time when City have won all five of their Premier League games under Maresca. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who spent three and a half years as Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad Stadium before joining the Gunners in December 2019, was asked about the charges ahead of Arsenal's clash with Leeds United. When asked whether his conscience was clear given his time at the club, Arteta replied firmly: "Yes." The 44-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates this week, largely refused to be drawn on the saga.
Other top-flight bosses have publicly increased pressure on decision-makers to resolve the case. Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris and Nottingham Forest's Oliver Glasner have warned that the ongoing uncertainty is damaging the integrity of the Premier League. Four clubs - Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham - have reserved the right to pursue legal action for potential damages, which could further complicate proceedings.
A Reuters Breakingviews column described the case against City in stark terms, arguing that disguised sponsorship payments and other sham commercial contracts brought in hundreds of millions in additional revenue over almost a decade. The column argued that while debate has focused on sporting penalties, the same behaviour in a conventional business would merit civil or even criminal charges, and that one of the most high-profile businesses in Britain should be held to at least the same standard. City's appeal will now determine whether that verdict stands and what price the club must pay.