Manchester City charged with 115 financial breaches, Guilty or Not-Guilty? Explained

Manchester City is currently one of the best sides in the English Premier League, almost being the favorites to win the 2023/24 season and aiming for their fourth consecutive title. However, there have been controversies surrounding the club breaching financial regulations of the PL. According to the latest report by Premier League CEO Richard Masters, there have been 115 charges of financial breaches against the club. Steps need to be taken before any punishment can be issued.

City has been accused of gaining an unfair advantage over other City Football Group-owned clubs, and the repercussions could be problematic for the club. The focus on the Sky Blues has increased in recent months after Nottingham Forest and Everton were docked points for failing to meet the division's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), with the Merseyside club facing two separate fines in a short period of time.

The club has previously been accused of breaking Premier League rules over 100 times between 2009 and 2018. They failed to submit proper financial information to the League and misled regulators about their spending and earnings, including sponsorship revenues and expenditures. There were suspected disparities in how much Manchester City paid manager Roberto Mancini from 2009 to 2013 and various players from 2010 to 2016, salary numbers that the club is obligated to publish to the league.

Is Manchester City guilty or not?

Additional allegations suggest that Manchester City violated Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability from 2015 to 2018. Charges have been presented to an independent panel, which will meet in private and has the authority to impose severe penalties such as fines, point deductions, or relegation from the League. The Sky Blues management is also condemned for not cooperating with the investigation. 

Previously the club was denying the matter but on surprise turn over the situation, the management said in February, "The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position."