Manchester City could face a wide range of sporting and financial sanctions after an independent commission reportedly found the Premier League champions guilty on 114 of the 115 financial-rule charges brought against the club.
Gists9ja reports that the reported verdict was delivered on Friday, September 25, 2026, although the sanctions to be imposed have not yet been determined.
Manchester City are expected to challenge the decision through the appropriate appeal process, while the club has consistently denied the allegations against it.
The charges, which largely concern the period between 2009 and 2018, include alleged breaches relating to financial reporting, payments to players and managers, UEFA regulations, the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and alleged failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
If the reported findings are ultimately upheld, Manchester City could potentially face several consequences.
1. Premier League Points Deduction
One of the possible punishments is a deduction of Premier League points.
The league’s disciplinary framework allows for points deductions in appropriate circumstances, although there is no publicly established points tariff that determines how many points Manchester City would lose in a case of this scale.
Importantly, any points-related sanction could raise questions about whether it would apply only to a future season or could have retrospective implications for seasons covered by the charges.
Such a decision could have significant consequences for the club’s historical league positions and titles.
2. Unlimited Financial Fine
Manchester City could also be ordered to pay a substantial financial penalty.
The Premier League’s disciplinary framework does not prescribe a fixed maximum for fines that an independent commission can impose in circumstances such as these.
However, no fine has yet been announced, and it remains unclear whether a financial penalty will form part of the eventual punishment.
3. Suspension From Premier League Matches
Another potential sanction is suspension from Premier League competition.
The league’s disciplinary rules give an independent commission the power to suspend a club from participating in league matches for a period it considers appropriate.
Such a punishment would be an extremely significant sporting sanction, although there is currently no indication that the commission intends to impose it on Manchester City.
4. Restrictions on Player Registrations
The club could also face restrictions relating to the registration of players.
Under the disciplinary framework, certain breaches can result in the cancellation or refusal of player registrations.
If imposed, such a sanction could affect Manchester City’s ability to register new players or otherwise strengthen its squad during the period covered by the punishment.
There has been no confirmation that such restrictions will be imposed.
5. Compensation Payments
The commission could potentially order Manchester City to pay compensation to affected parties.
The disciplinary framework does not establish a specific maximum amount for such compensation. Any award would depend on the commission’s findings and the circumstances surrounding the alleged breaches.
6. Could Manchester City Lose Premier League Titles?
Another major question concerns Manchester City’s Premier League titles won during the period covered by the allegations.
City won the 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18 Premier League titles during the period in question.
A retrospective points deduction could theoretically affect historical league standings, depending on how the eventual sanction is structured.
However, whether a financial-rule punishment could actually result in Manchester City being stripped of those titles remains uncertain.
There is no established Premier League precedent for removing a club’s title specifically because of financial-rule breaches.
Any decision on the historical titles would therefore depend on the eventual sanctions, the league’s rules, and the outcome of any appeal.
7. Possible Expulsion From the Premier League
The most severe potential consequence would be expulsion from the Premier League.
The competition’s disciplinary framework provides mechanisms under which an independent commission can recommend severe sporting sanctions, including expulsion from the competition.
However, there is no established domestic precedent for a Premier League club being expelled because of financial-rule breaches.
Such an outcome would therefore represent an extraordinary development.
Manchester City have previously experienced a major European punishment.
In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-season ban from European competitions on the club over Financial Fair Play-related breaches. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the competition ban on appeal and reduced the financial penalty.
What Happens Next?
The reported guilty verdict does not mean Manchester City have immediately been deducted points, suspended or expelled from the Premier League.
The independent commission still has to determine the appropriate sanctions, if any, and Manchester City are expected to have the opportunity to challenge the decision through the relevant appeal process.
The club has continued to maintain that the disciplinary process is ongoing.
In a statement, Manchester City said:
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”
At the time of writing, the Premier League had not publicly commented on the reported verdict.
The eventual sanctions and any subsequent appeal could therefore determine the extent of the sporting and financial consequences Manchester City may face.
