The Premier League has reportedly given Manchester City a major red card.
City has been found guilty of more than 100 financial charges that were brought by the league over an eight-year period, according to a report from The Athletic. The punishment has not been decided, and City is expected to appeal potential sanctions, according to the report.
“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,” City told The Athletic in a statement.
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In November 2018, German outlet Der Spiegel published internal emails from City that it claimed detailed schemes by the club to conceal the true sources of income in a bid to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. City did not dispute the emails but declined to comment because they came from hackers.
The emails prompted a Premier League investigation. In March 2019, UEFA opened a formal investigation into whether City broke the rules.
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In February 2020, City was banned from the Champions League for two seasons by UEFA for “serious breaches” of spending rules and failing to cooperate with investigators. City was also fined 30 million euros (then $33 million). City said UEFA’s investigation was “flawed” and announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In July 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned City’s ban but still imposed a 10 million-euro ($11.3 million) fine for lack of cooperation with investigators.
In 2023, City was referred to an independent commission by the Premier League, which alleged more than 100 breaches of financial rules by the club. City was accused of providing misleading information about its finances from 2009-18 and subsequently failing to cooperate with the league’s investigation. City said it was “surprised” by the allegations and claimed there was a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to counter them.
City won the Premier League for the fifth time in six seasons after the charges were brought. On Friday, The Athletic reported that City was found guilty of all but one of the charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
