Manchester City’s 115 Charges: Financial Expert Provides Major Update Amid Uncertainty
A financial advisor has provided a fresh update on Manchester City’s long-running case involving 115 charges of alleged financial rule breaches, offering new insight into the situation.
The Premier League initially charged the reigning champions in February 2023, accusing them of violating financial regulations over a span of several years. A significant portion of these allegations—54 charges—relate to a failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information. City have consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they have a “body of irrefutable evidence” supporting their defense.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Uncertain Verdict Timeline
The case has been subject to a private hearing process, which reportedly took place between September and December last year. Despite expectations that a verdict would be forthcoming, there has been no official ruling to date.
Back in February, City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed his belief that a decision would arrive within the following month. However, no announcement has materialized, and the uncertainty surrounding the case remains. Once a verdict is reached, either City or the Premier League will have the right to appeal, meaning the final outcome may not be settled for some time.
Respected football journalist David Ornstein (The Athletic) recently told NBC that Manchester City remain “totally confident they will be exonerated and prove their innocence.” However, if found guilty, the potential consequences could be severe. Punishments range from financial penalties and points deductions to, in the most extreme scenario, relegation from the Premier League—a fate that would be unprecedented in modern English football.
Financial Advisor Offers Fresh Insight into City’s Case
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson, who has been closely following the case since it was first made public, has shared a new update based on the latest information he has received.
Speaking to Football Insider, Borson stated that a verdict remains “not close”, with no clear indication of when an announcement will be made. He also criticized the hearing process, suggesting that it has not been handled well in certain respects.
“What you’ve got is a situation where [the verdict] might happen at any point. It is something very significant, not just for the future of football, but for the future of Manchester City employees,” Borson explained.
He also warned that a negative outcome for City could have wider financial implications for the club, potentially impacting jobs and long-term financial planning. He referenced Manchester United’s recent cost-cutting measures as an example of how clubs may need to adjust their financial structure under such circumstances.
“Because you would think that, if a lot of this stuff goes against City, then there would have to be some adjustments to City’s cost base. And as we know from what’s happened at United, this can involve real people and real jobs. I don’t think it’s been handled well in that respect.”
Borson further emphasized that the situation remains highly secretive, with no reliable leaks or inside information regarding the timing of the verdict.
“I can tell you from lots of conversations I’ve had over the last week—nobody knows. This is a very well-kept secret, and nobody has got any indication of definitively when it’s coming. Nobody believes that it’s close because of things they’ve heard.”
He also criticized the lack of transparency in the process, stating:
“It will just drop. It doesn’t feel like the best way of doing things from the Premier League and City’s perspective, but that’s the process we have.”
The Full Breakdown: Manchester City’s 115 Alleged Breaches
Manchester City’s legal battle centers around a vast number of alleged breaches spanning over a decade. While the official number of charges is 115, a report from The Times in December 2023 suggested that the actual total is 130, due to a reporting error by the Premier League. However, the league has not issued a clarification on this discrepancy.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the allegations against City:
Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information (2009/10 – 2017/18) – 54 alleged breaches Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations (December 2018 – present [February 2023]) – 35 alleged breaches Failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation (2009/10 – 2017/18) – 14 alleged breaches Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations (2015/16 – 2017/18) – 7 alleged breaches Failure to comply with UEFA’s regulations, including UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules – 5 alleged breaches What Happens Next?
With no clear verdict in sight, the situation remains in legal limbo. If City are found guilty, the Premier League’s potential punishments could have a massive impact on both the club and English football. A points deduction could derail their dominance, while relegation would be an unprecedented and seismic event in modern football history.
On the other hand, if City successfully prove their innocence, the case could have broader implications for how financial regulations are enforced across the league. Some clubs have privately expressed frustration with the lack of resolution, as they await clarity on whether the Premier League will take decisive action or if City will be fully exonerated.
For now, City’s fate remains uncertain, and with no leaks or hints on the final decision, the football world waits for what could be one of the most significant rulings in Premier League history.
