Man City Financial Scandal Explained: What have they been charged with?

Jacque Talbot

• 17 Nov 2023 14:00 GMT
• 4 min read

The Premier League has charged Manchester City with over 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations.

A four-year investigation has concluded with the Premier League announcing that the club had breached regulations over a period of nine seasons - but what do the charges include?

The Premier League wrote in a statement: “In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club to a Commission.”

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City are alleged to have breached rules requiring provision ‘in utmost good faith’ of ‘accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’ - essentially accusing the side of lacking accuracy when they provide a financial breakdown to the league.

The Premier League says the accurate financial information required related to ‘revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs’. This is related to the fact the body believe Man City’s stream of sponsorship income may have fallen foul of rules.

A third breach is related to rules which require clubs to cooperate and assist the league with any such investigation.

Another breach points to 'requiring a member club to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager' and this is in accordance with seasons 2009-10 to 2012-13 when Italy boss Roberto Mancini was in the dugout. This breach also highlights requirements for a club to include full details of player remuneration, with the spotlight on the seasons 2010-11 to 2015-16.

Both these essentially mean that the Premier League believe some of Man City’s wage payments, in relation to the aforementioned dates, have not been in line with the body’s rules.

Lastly, there is a section that deals with alleged breaches of Premier League rules which states its clubs must comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, of which the body believes Man City, at times, have not.

The Premier League’s probe

The Premier League statement concluded: “The proceedings before the Commission will, in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82, be confidential and heard in private. Under Premier League Rule W.82.2, the Commission’s final award will be published on the Premier League’s website.

"This confirmation is made in accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1. The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.”

Man City have always vehemently denied any breaches of financial rules.

It is believed that if these recent charges are proven, it could lead to a range of sanctions, including fines, a points deduction, or even expulsion from the league.

Responding to the Premier League's announcement, City released a statement, which read: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with,” the club have said in response.

“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. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”