City found guilty on majority of 115 charges; appeal process begins

Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges of alleged financial breaches by an independent panel, bringing an end to a three-year legal battle with the Premier League.

What the panel found

The tribunal sided with the Premier League’s arguments that City misrepresented their finances over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. The club now faces sanctions, the nature and severity of which have not yet been disclosed.

What happens next in the appeal

City retain the right to appeal the verdict to a second independent panel composed of different judges. Any appeal decision will be final. The Premier League may also appeal the charges it did not win.

The club cannot escalate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the body that overturned City’s UEFA Champions League ban in 2020.

Where the case stands

• Verdict: guilty on 114 of the 115 charges.
• Period covered: nine years, from 2009 to 2018.
• Sanctions: not yet disclosed.
• Appeal: available to City, heard by a second panel of different judges, and final.
• Premier League appeal: possible on the charges it did not win.
• Court of Arbitration for Sport: not available in this case.

Reaction to the verdict

The ruling drew responses from across the game. Midfielder Rodri defended City’s success, insisting “you cannot buy this with money”, while Gallagher said he was stunned by the 115-charge guilty verdict.

Elsewhere, Ian Wright argued the verdict proves Klopp’s Liverpool were “done right”, and questions were raised over whether the ruling reshapes Guardiola’s legacy.

From the England camp, Kane revealed the squad’s reaction to the verdict. In government, Nandy urged the club to resolve the issues “swiftly”.

This story is developing. We will update this page as the appeal process progresses and any sanctions are confirmed.

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