Gonzalo
It's official. The Premier League has confirmed what had leaked days earlier: Manchester City have been found guilty by an independent commission of financial wrongdoing in one of the biggest scandals in English football history.
The official verdict
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Premier League said: "An independent Commission has found Manchester City FC guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-season period, and the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League's investigation." The findings reportedly point to a disguised funding scheme running through City's finances.
How we got here
The Premier League charged City with 115 breaches of financial regulations back in February 2023, covering alleged misconduct from 2009 to 2018, the exact period City transformed from a mid-table club into a global superpower, winning the Premier League repeatedly and lifting the Champions League for the first time. The independent hearing wrapped in December 2024, but the verdict took nearly two years to arrive after that, frustrating fans and rivals alike.
City's response
City didn't hold back in their reaction. The club said it was "disappointed and surprised" by the commission's verdict, insisted it was "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League," and will be "relentless" as it pursues avenues to appeal. Any appeal has to be lodged by Friday, according to the league.
What comes next
This is far from resolved. Sanctions will be decided at a separate, private hearing, and the range of possible punishments is severe. Reports point to a hefty points deduction as the most likely outcome, one significant enough to threaten relegation, with some speculation City could even be stripped of trophies won during the period in question.
There's also a wider storm brewing beyond City itself. The verdict is expected to trigger a wave of lawsuits from rival clubs seeking compensation for having competed against City during the years in question, meaning this saga could shape Premier League football for years, regardless of how City's appeal plays out.
We'll keep this updated as the appeal and sanctions process unfolds.
PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS