Manchester City are facing an uncertain period after an independent commission found the club guilty of the vast majority of the financial charges brought against them by the Premier League.
The case concerns alleged financial rule breaches covering several seasons.
Reports indicate that the independent commission found Manchester City guilty on almost all of the charges, although the club continues to deny wrongdoing and has indicated that it intends to appeal.
Importantly, Manchester City have not yet been given a final punishment. The sanctioning process is separate from the verdict, meaning the club must wait for the Premier League process to determine what consequences, if any, will follow.
Potential sanctions under the Premier League rules range from financial penalties to sporting punishments, including points deductions and, at the most severe end, expulsion from the competition.
The exact punishment would depend on the findings and the relevant disciplinary process.
Manchester City have also stressed that the process remains ongoing. The club’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said the Premier League process still had a long way to run and that the club remained determined to defend its position.
The appeal process could further delay the final outcome. Under the Premier League’s rules, City can challenge the verdict, while any punishment would be dealt with through a separate process.
As a result, despite the recent verdict representing a major development in the long-running case, Manchester City’s final punishment has not yet been confirmed.
The coming weeks and months could therefore be crucial as the club begins the next stage of its legal battle with the Premier League.
Source: Premier League / Sky News
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 15 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 12 |
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +11 | 10 |
| 4 | Brentford | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| 7 | Everton | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| 8 | Hull City | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +2 | 8 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 7 |
| 11 | Ipswich Town | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 6 |
| 12 | Manchester United | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 5 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 4 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 |
| 17 | Bournemouth | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -9 | 3 |
| 19 | Fulham | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| 20 | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -6 | 2 |
