Manchester City found guilty of breaking Premier League’s financial fair play rules

Manchester City face substantial sanctions from the Premier League after an independent panel found they had acted in bad faith and broken numerous rules over financial fair play.

The Premier League did not issue a statement but sources confirmed to the Guardian that City had been found guilty on almost all of more than 100 charges. City are surprised at the timing of the news because they say the process is ongoing. It is understood the club intend to appeal against a guilty verdict, confident of winning.

Related: Manchester City timeline: trophies, transfers and more than 100 charges

A verdict has been reached more than three and a half years after 134 charges, which cover the seasons 2009-10 to 2022-23, were brought by the Premier League and more than two years since arbitration hearings began. From season 2009-10 to 2022-23 inclusive City won seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, three FA Cups and six League Cups.

Premier League clubs were told of the outcome at Thursday’s shareholders’ meeting and made to sign non-disclosure agreements.

A City spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

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What happens next remains uncertain. Under the Premier League rulebook, the appeal process has time limits. Any party wishing to appeal against a decision by a judicial panel must do so by email within 14 days of a decision being announced. Under rule W.86 any hearing should conclude no longer than 12 weeks after the first appeal is submitted. Any decision by the appeal board must be published, alongside full written reasons, within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing.

The Premier League lays out the list of possible sanctions that could be served against City in rule W.64 of its handbook. Alongside levying a fine, any disciplinary committee could levy a points deduction, suspend a club from competition or in the most extreme circumstances expel a club from competition.