Man City 'guilty of 114 out of 115 charges' - David Ornstein

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Tom Weber | Writer

Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled against the club by the Premier League, David Ornstein reports.

The Cityzens have been locked in a legal battle with the Premier League since 2023, relating to accusations of financial breaches committed between 2009 and 2018.

Specifically, City stand accused of having failed to provide accurate financial information and details of payments and of breaching the financial regulations of the Premier League and UEFA. The club have steadfastly denied all accusations.

The charges were levelled against the club after German publication Der Spiegel leaked financial documents. The sheer scale of the case and its unprecedented nature have meant that this process has dragged on to the present day.

Due to the strict confidentiality of the case, details have been few and far between, but over the past year, it has increasingly become clear that a verdict must be imminent. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the direction of travel is now clear.

City guilty on almost all counts

The reliable journalist has revealed that, while the legal process remains ongoing, City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League.

This means that the Cityzens are potentially in real trouble, although Ornstein emphasises that no sanctions have as yet been decided. Moreover, City are expected to appeal, so this process could yet drag on for some time.

Transfer bans, points deductions, fines and, in the most extreme case, even relegation are thought to be possible outcomes, although the latter may be difficult to enforce due to the different governing bodies of England's leagues. Any punishment would have to be proportionate to the breaches, or it risks being overturned.

When questioned by the outlet, a City spokesperson responded: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

City won three Premier League titles during the period of the alleged breaches and continued to dominate English football post-2018. Their success can't be divorced from the supposed foul play.

This is the first major bombshell of this landmark case. It will be fascinating to see how this story develops.

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