Manchester City found guilty of majority of financial charges, BBC sources say

Manchester City have been found guilty of most of the 115 financial rule breaches alleged against them, sources told BBC Sport on Friday. The reported findings concern an independent panel's examination of the Premier League case. Neither City nor the league publicly confirmed the outcome in their responses to the broadcaster, and the club said important parts of the process still had to be completed.

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BBC Sport reported that the Athletic had put the findings at all but one count and said sanctions had not yet been decided. The BBC's own sources described a finding against City on the majority of breaches, without providing that precise total. The distinction leaves the detailed outcome and any eventual punishment unconfirmed publicly by the parties involved.

City did not confirm or deny the report when asked by the BBC. In a statement, the club said proceedings were continuing under confidentiality requirements and that its position remained consistent with its February 2023 statement. City also said it had respected the process for eight years, expecting the Premier League's leadership to act independently, impartially and without influence from rival interests. The league declined to comment.

The case began with charges announced in February 2023 following a four-year investigation, according to the BBC's accompanying live coverage. Allegations concerning the club's finances covered the period from 2009 to 2018. City denied all the charges and maintained that evidence supported its position. A private hearing lasting 10 weeks began in September 2024, placing the reported findings more than two years after that hearing opened.

The BBC listed five categories within the 115 charges: 54 concerning financial information, 14 concerning details of player and manager payments, five relating to UEFA rules, seven involving Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, and 35 concerning cooperation with league investigations. Those cooperation allegations covered December 2018 to February 2023. The breakdown describes the original accusations, not a publicly confirmed count of which individual charges were upheld.

BBC Sport also reported that City would appeal in the event of an adverse finding. Other Premier League clubs were believed to have been informed of the panel's decision. With the club insisting that proceedings remain incomplete and no sanction announced in the reporting, the case has not yet reached a publicly confirmed final resolution.