Manchester City could face a range of severe sanctions, including a points deduction, unlimited fine, player-registration restrictions, suspension or even expulsion from the Premier League, following findings that the club breached 114 of 115 financial-rule charges brought against them.
The sanctions are yet to be determined by the independent commission handling the case, while Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The case centres on alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, as well as allegations that the club failed to properly cooperate with the league’s investigation.
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 with 115 alleged breaches.
Of the charges, 54 related to alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, while 14 concerned player and manager remuneration.
Five charges related to UEFA regulations, including Financial Fair Play requirements, while seven concerned the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
A further 35 charges related to alleged failures by the club to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
Following the commission’s findings, attention has now shifted to the possible sanctions that could be imposed on the reigning Premier League champions.
Under the league’s disciplinary framework, the independent commission has several options available.
Points deduction
One of the most significant possible punishments is a points deduction, which could have a direct impact on Manchester City’s Premier League standing.
The league has previously imposed points deductions for financial breaches. Everton, for instance, were initially deducted 10 points for breaching the Premier League’s PSR before the punishment was reduced to six points following an appeal.
However, there is no publicly established points tariff for the City case, meaning any deduction would depend on the commission’s assessment of the individual breaches and any mitigating or aggravating factors.
Unlimited fine
Manchester City could also be handed a financial penalty.
The disciplinary rules allow the commission to impose an unlimited fine, meaning there is no fixed maximum amount specified under the regulations.
However, there has been no indication of the amount, if any, that the commission may order City to pay.
Suspension from Premier League matches
Another possible sanction is suspension from Premier League matches for a period determined by the commission.
Such a punishment would carry significant sporting consequences for the club, although there is currently no indication that the commission intends to impose a suspension.
Player-registration restrictions
The disciplinary framework also allows the commission to cancel or refuse player registrations in certain circumstances.
If imposed, such a sanction could affect City’s ability to register new players, although there is currently no indication that this particular punishment will be applied.
Compensation
The commission may also order Manchester City to pay compensation.
The rules do not prescribe a specific monetary limit for compensation, meaning the amount would depend on the circumstances and findings of the case.
Could Manchester City lose Premier League titles?
Another major issue surrounding the case is whether Manchester City could be stripped of titles won during the period covered by the allegations.
City won three Premier League titles during the period in question — in the 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18 seasons.
However, stripping a club of a Premier League title is not expressly listed among the commission’s specifically named sanctions.
The league’s disciplinary rules nevertheless give the commission broad powers to impose a combination of penalties or another penalty it considers appropriate.
There is no established Premier League precedent for stripping a club of a title specifically over financial-rule breaches, making the possibility uncertain.
Expulsion from the Premier League
Expulsion would represent one of the most severe potential outcomes, although it remains unclear whether such a sanction would be pursued or imposed in the City case.
Manchester City previously faced a major European punishment in 2020 when UEFA banned the club from the Champions League for two seasons over Financial Fair Play breaches.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport subsequently overturned the European competition ban in July 2020 while reducing the fine imposed on the club.
For now, Manchester City’s sanctions remain undecided following the independent commission’s findings.
The club is expected to appeal the verdict, meaning the lengthy financial case could continue through the appeals process before any final sporting or financial consequences are established.
