The serious punishment Man City could face if found guilty of 115 breaches of Premier League rules

Manchester City could face severe consequences if they are found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. Reports indicate that the hearing concerning the 115 alleged breaches by Manchester City will commence on September 16. These charges, which were first brought against the club in February 2023, involve a range of alleged violations over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.

The alleged infractions include failing to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons, not fully disclosing former manager Roberto Mancini’s compensation during his tenure from 2009 to 2013, and not revealing the full details of player salaries, including those of Yaya Toure, over six seasons. Additionally, Manchester City has been accused of not cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation, which has been ongoing since 2018, and of failing to submit requested documents over five seasons from 2018 to 2023.

The Premier League initiated its investigation after the German website Der Spiegel published Football Leaks documents in 2018. These documents allegedly contained copies of Mancini’s contract, image rights agreements involving Toure’s agent, and emails suggesting that City’s owners directly funded sponsorship deals.

Manchester City has consistently denied these allegations, but the seriousness and complexity of the charges mean that, if proven, the club could face relegation from the Premier League. The hearing is expected to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict anticipated in early 2025.

This is not the first time City has faced such scrutiny. In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-year ban on the club from European competitions due to alleged financial rule breaches. However, this ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled that some of the charges were time-barred and that others were unsubstantiated.

Unlike the UEFA case, the Premier League hearing can address time-barred elements of the alleged breaches, making this situation potentially more perilous for Manchester City. The outcome of another legal case brought by City against the Premier League concerning associated party transaction rules is also expected in the next two weeks. This decision could further impact the club’s standing depending on its outcome.