Liverpool Top-flight Rivals Man City’s 115 Charges Explained as Premier League Hearing Date Set Amid Points Deduction Thrēāt
The Premier League hearing concerning Manchester City’s alleged 115 financial breaches is scheduled to start on Monday.
These alleged breaches, attributed to Manchester City, reportedly occurred between 2009 and 2018. During this time, the club secured three Premier League titles, in addition to winning multiple League Cups and FA Cups.
The magnitude of these accusations has stirred frustration among rival clubs and their supporters, including Nottingham Forest and Everton. These teams have previously insisted that no penalties should be applied until Manchester City’s case reaches a conclusion.
Conversely, many of Manchester City’s competitors in the Premier League argue that the club has benefited from an ‘unfair advantage,’ which has compromised the integrity of the competition. Despite the ongoing charges, Manchester City made history last season by becoming the first English team to win the top flight four consecutive times. With the case still pending, here is an overview of the most commonly asked questions surrounding the matter.
What are the Charges?
A detailed list of the charges against Manchester City can be found through our partners at the Manchester Evening News. Below is a brief summary of the 115 charges involved.
While some of the charges are straightforward, the primary areas of contention were emphasized in a report by Der Spiegel earlier this year.
Manchester City stands accused of inflating sponsorship agreements, compensating former manager Roberto Mancini as a consultant for a club in Abu Dhabi, and making undisclosed payments to players—allegations the club strongly refutes.
When Will Manchester City Face Potential Sanctions?
The Premier League is filled with anticipation over when Manchester City will learn their fate. As reported by MEN Sport, the club may receive the final verdict by the summer of 2025.
At that point, the season will have ended, meaning any potential sanctions would impact the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Why the Delay in Proceedings?
Premier League CEO Richard Masters has been criticized for the lengthy process. He has justified the delay, explaining that the complexity of the case has prevented an earlier hearing date. ESPN has reported that the hearing is set to begin this Monday, September 16th.
Why Hasn’t Manchester City Faced a Points Deduction Yet?
There are two main reasons why City has not had points deducted. First, no action can be taken until the hearing is completed and all the evidence has been thoroughly examined.
Second, as Masters explained during his testimony before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) committee earlier this year, the charges against City are distinct from those brought against Forest and Everton. “I can [understand] but they are very different charges,” he stated.
“If any club, the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of the spending rules, they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest. But the volume and character of the charges laid before Manchester City, which I obviously cannot talk about at all, are being heard in a completely different environment.”
What Could Happen to City?
The potential repercussions for Manchester City, if found guilty, are unclear due to the unprecedented nature of the charges. With Everton having received an eight-point deduction for lesser violations, it’s expected that City could face a much harsher points deduction.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire previously indicated that the penalty could be as severe as a 30-point deduction. There has even been speculation about the possibility of immediate expulsion from the Premier League. A heavy fine, however, appears unlikely considering City’s financial strength.
Can City Appeal?
Both City and the Premier League have the option to appeal the hearing’s decision. To prevent additional delays in the process, either party must provide a strong case for their appeal.
Guardiola’s Stance
As anticipated, Pep Guardiola has focused on the game rather than off-field matters. He once famously remarked that he would be more inclined to remain at the Etihad Stadium even if the club were relegated to League Two or the National League—an intimidating scenario for lower league teams.
He also advised against jumping to conclusions about City’s guilt before the hearing, reiterating his confidence in the club’s assertions of innocence.
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