Manchester City’s long-running 115-charge financial case has finally reached a major conclusion, with an independent commission finding the club guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.
After more than three years of waiting since the Premier League first charged Manchester City in February 2023, the commission’s findings were published this week.
City have rejected the findings and confirmed they will appeal, with Friday, 2 October 2026 the deadline for the club to formally lodge its appeal.
And with the verdict now official, it feels like an appropriate moment for a small Oasis-inspired wordplay: Shampagne Supernova.
The verdict may have arrived, but the Manchester City 115 charges saga is certainly not over yet.
Manchester City Found Guilty of Serious Financial Breaches
The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
The commission also found the club guilty of the majority of the charges relating to its alleged failure to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigation.
The findings followed a four-year Premier League investigation and a hearing before an independent commission which took place between September and December 2024.
The case centred on allegations that Manchester City had failed to provide accurate financial information, including information relating to revenue, sponsorship arrangements and payments to players and managers.
The commission also found that City had arranged what it described as “sham” contracts with commercial partners as part of arrangements which artificially inflated the club’s revenues and reduced its costs by more than £900 million during the affected period.
Manchester City Vow to Appeal
Manchester City have strongly rejected the commission’s findings and confirmed that they intend to appeal.
In a statement released following publication of the decision, the club said it was “disappointed and surprised” by the opinion.
City maintained that they were innocent of the accusations and said:
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.”
The club also said it would pursue the available appeal process, arguing that the commission’s opinion contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and is “unsafe”.
Manchester City’s appeal must be formally lodged by Friday, 2 October 2026.
Friday’s Appeal Deadline Is the Next Key Date
The verdict does not bring the entire Manchester City 115 charges case to an end.
The club now has until Friday to lodge its appeal against the commission’s findings. A new three-person appeal commission would then consider the case.
The exact timetable for the appeal will depend on the process that follows, but the outcome could have a major bearing on what happens next.
Importantly, Manchester City’s eventual punishment has not yet been decided.
The Premier League has said sanctions will be dealt with separately by the independent commission.
That means the current situation is effectively another waiting game for City, the Premier League and supporters of clubs across English football.
What Did the Premier League Say?
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the case as an exceptionally important moment for the competition.
Masters said:
“The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period.”
He added that the decision detailed how the club had “systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade”.
However, Masters also stressed that important elements of the case remain unresolved, particularly the question of what sanctions should follow.
“There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches.”
What Could Happen to Manchester City?
The eventual punishment remains unknown, and it would be premature to say exactly what sanctions Manchester City will receive.
Potential sporting and regulatory consequences could include a significant points deduction, financial penalties, transfer restrictions or other sanctions under the Premier League’s rules.
In the most severe scenario, a sufficiently large points deduction could affect City’s position in the Premier League.
There has also been discussion around the possibility of expulsion from the Premier League, although that would involve a separate process and significant complications concerning the club’s place within the English football pyramid.
For now, however, no sanction has been imposed.
What Has Pep Guardiola Said?
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also spoken publicly following the verdict.
Guardiola left City at the end of the 2025-26 season after a decade in charge, but remains closely connected with the club.
In a message to Manchester City supporters, Guardiola said:
“I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.”
He concluded with a message of solidarity:
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together.”
Guardiola managed Manchester City during part of the period covered by the charges, having taken over in 2016.
What Happened During the Period Covered by the Charges?
The financial allegations cover the period from 2009-10 to 2017-18, a period in which Manchester City established themselves as one of the dominant clubs in English football.
City won eight major trophies during the period covered by the case:
- 3 Premier League titles
- 3 League Cups
- 1 FA Cup
- 1 Community Shield
The case therefore overlaps with a significant period in Manchester City’s transformation from ambitious Premier League club into one of the most successful sides in English football.
Manchester City 115 Charges: From Reports to Verdict
This latest development represents a major change from our previous Manchester City 115 charges verdict article.
When we first reported on the case on 25 September, reports suggested that the independent commission had found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges, but the official findings had not yet been published.
The Premier League has now formally confirmed the commission’s findings, meaning the case has moved from reported verdict to an official decision.
There is, however, still a long way to go.
Manchester City 115 Charges: What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is City’s appeal.
The club has until Friday, 2 October 2026 to formally challenge the commission’s findings.
After that, the appeal process will determine whether the original findings are upheld, altered or overturned.
Separately, the independent commission will have to determine the sanctions arising from the breaches that remain upheld after the relevant legal processes.
That means Manchester City’s 115-charge saga, which began with the Premier League’s announcement in February 2023, is entering another potentially decisive phase.
Manchester City 115 Charges: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Original charges | 115 |
| Charges announced | February 2023 |
| Period covered | 2009-10 to 2017-18 |
| Hearing | September-December 2024 |
| Verdict | Manchester City found guilty of serious financial breaches |
| Sanctions | Not yet determined |
| Appeal | Manchester City intend to appeal |
| Appeal deadline | Friday, 2 October 2026 |
Manchester City 115 Charges FAQs
What are the Manchester City 115 charges?
The charges concern alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18, including allegations relating to financial information, sponsorship revenue, player and manager payments and co-operation with the Premier League’s investigation.
Has Manchester City been found guilty of the 115 charges?
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over the nine-season period, as well as the majority of charges relating to the club’s failure to co-operate with the investigation.
Will Manchester City appeal?
Yes. Manchester City have confirmed that they will pursue the available appeal process and have until Friday, 2 October 2026 to formally lodge their appeal.
What punishment could Manchester City receive?
No sanction has yet been imposed. Possible consequences under the Premier League’s rules could include financial and sporting sanctions, but the eventual punishment will depend on the remaining legal and regulatory process.
When will Manchester City’s appeal be decided?
The exact date of the appeal decision has not yet been confirmed. The appeal will be heard by a new three-person commission after Manchester City formally lodge their challenge.
What does Shampagne Supernova mean?
Shampagne Supernova is our tongue-in-cheek reference to Oasis’s famous song Champagne Supernova, used here to mark another dramatic chapter in the long-running Manchester City 115 charges saga.
Manchester City 115 Charges: The Story Continues
The verdict has finally arrived, but the Manchester City 115 charges case is still far from finished.
With City’s appeal deadline falling on Friday, 2 October, attention now turns to the next stage of a case that has dominated English football for years.
For Manchester City, the immediate priority is the appeal. For the Premier League, the next major question is the eventual sanction.
And for everyone else, there is still another chapter to come.
Shampagne Supernova? Not quite the end of the story yet.
