Reuters reported on 25 September 2026 that an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty on 114 of 115 charges. The league had not publicly announced a decision, and no penalty had been imposed.
A day later, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the proceedings still had a long way to run. He said the club's resolve had not changed and urged supporters to read its statements carefully. Their words, he said, remained accurate. Reuters reported that message as the club's official response to the reports.
BBC Sport's breakdown of the 115 charges comprises 54 allegations concerning inaccurate financial reporting, 14 concerning details of player and coach payments, five relating to UEFA financial rules, seven relating to Premier League profitability and sustainability rules, and 35 alleging failure to cooperate with the investigation.
The charges and the reported findings
The Premier League brought 115 charges in February 2023, after a multi-year investigation. They cover the period from 2009 to 2015. The allegations include financial-rule breaches and 35 claims that the club failed to cooperate with the investigation. City denies wrongdoing and says it has a comprehensive body of evidence to present to the independent commission.
Reports published on 25 September said the commission had found City guilty on 114 charges. The club said proceedings were ongoing and important matters remained unresolved. The Premier League had not publicly announced a final decision. No sanction had been imposed.
The reported findings are not a formal public decision by the league. City can still appeal.
According to BBC Sport, the independent commission's hearings began on 16 September 2024 and continued for about three months. The Premier League had brought the charges in February 2023, following a multi-year investigation.
Al Mubarak's message to supporters
In a message on the club's website, Al Mubarak spoke about his 18 years with City. He acknowledged that fans had faced questions from friends, relatives and colleagues after the reports emerged. He said his own family had asked him similar questions. His belief in the club's defence, he said, had not changed.
Al Mubarak said the club had limited what it could say publicly because the legal proceedings were confidential and had to be respected. He criticised those who drew conclusions before the process had run its course. City would not be deterred, he said. Reuters and BBC Sport reported that the club's position was unchanged from its response in February 2023: the process was continuing, and significant issues remained unresolved.
The formal process and any appeal will determine what happens next. Headlines about reported findings do not settle the case. City denies the charges, and no sanction has been imposed. Al Mubarak's confidence states the club's position. It does not resolve the dispute.
