Manchester City Guilty of Over 100 Charges

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Hooligan Soccer

·25 September 2026

Manchester City Guilty of Over 100 Charges

Sources close to the Premier League, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to trusted news organizations that Manchester City was found guilty of violating over 100 charges related to financial fair play (FFP) and profit and sustainabilty rules (PSR).

This is some big news. It’s also somewhat surprising. Not that City are guilty; but that the verdict actually came down at all.

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All Premier League clubs were apparently informed of the verdict on Thursday at the annual shareholders meeting. They also signed strict non-disclosure agreements, which so far have been honored. No club has made comment as of publication.

The Premier League itself said this to Reuters when asked about the situation: ‘It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all,’ a spokesperson said.

A timeline of this sordid tale

2008 Abu Dhabi United Group purchase the club from Thai businessman (and former Prime Minister) Thaksin Shinawatra. They immediately start spending, breaking the Premier League transfer record for Real Madrid’s Robinho for £32.5 million. Finish in 10th place.
2009-2010 The club’s transfer spending exceeds £100 million. Roberto Mancini comes on as manager. Finish 5th place.
2010-2011 More spending. Win the FA Cup. On the final day of the league, they secure third place, securing a Champions League spot.
2011-2012 City win the Premier League title in the most dramatic fashion, with two stoppage time goals against Queens Park Rangers. It remains the only league title decided by goal differential.
2013-2014 City win their second Premier League title of the Abu Dhabi era, also on the final matchday. They also lift the Leagues Cup. UEFA finds that City violated their Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, and the club pays a €20m fine.
2015 The Football Leaks incident, in which millions of private documents relating to soccer clubs and players are hacked and made public. New investigations of the club begin to occur as a result.
2019 The Premier League begins, in secret, a formal investigation of Manchester City. This process is so hush-hush it took legal action from the Mail on Sunday newspaper to even get confirmation that it was happening.
2020 UEFA suspends Manchester City from the Champions League. Their reason? “Overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts.” City appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and wins; they play.
2023 After four years, Manchester City is charged with 134 counts of breaching Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2023.
2024 The league and the club begin arbitration hearings.
2026 Here we are. Verdict reached. Punishment unknown.

Impact of the verdict is unknown

It’s not clear exactly what punishments or sanctions might come down on Manchester City as a result of this ruling. The club will almost certainly appeal, and then likely appeal again, dragging this process out for another year, maybe more.

But this much we know. Between 2009 and 2023 Manchester City won a Champions League, seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups and six League Cups. All of these titles are potentially at risk of being stripped away.

Far more likely will be financial penalties and fines. The club could also be docked points from the league standings, or placed under a transfer ban. All these punishments have been recently applied to Premier League clubs in the past six years.

Previous PSR/FFP judgements

Everton has been hit twice, both relating to 2020-21 when their losses exceeded the allowed cap. They were ultimately docked 8 points from the 2023-24 season, and ordered to pay Burnley £35 million in compensation for being relegated that season.

Nottingham Forest had 4 points deducted in the 2023-24 season for the same cap violations.

Chelsea self-reported violations stemming from the Abramovic-era of ownership of failing to disclose £47 million in third-party and agent fees. They were fined £10 million and given a one-year transfer ban.

Leicester City’s 2022-23 books came under scrutiny and they were also found guilty. As they had been relegated in 2025, their 6 point deduction was applied to the 2025-26 Championship season. They subsequently finished 23rd and dropped again down into League One.

Rough times ahead

Manchester City are currently atop the Premier League table with five wins from five played. They look dangerous under new manager Enzo Maresca. It’s unlikely (though possible) that any sanctions will not hit them this season, or impact them in Champions League.

But this much is clear: Manchester City are facing a hangover far worse than Jack Grealish after their 2023 Champions League win.