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| Manchester City |
Manchester City’s long-running financial case has taken several twists since allegations of financial breaches first emerged in 2018.
The Premier League referred the club to an independent commission in 2023 over more than 100 alleged breaches relating to its finances between 2009 and 2018. Reports have since claimed that City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges.
Here is a timeline of the major developments in the case.
**November 2018**
German publication Der Spiegel published allegations that Manchester City had attempted to circumvent UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules through sponsorship arrangements involving Abu Dhabi-based companies.
City rejected the allegations and said the information had been obtained through an “illegal hack”, describing the publication of internal emails as part of an attempt to damage the club’s reputation.
**March 2019**
UEFA and the Premier League launched investigations into potential Financial Fair Play violations following the allegations.
**May 2019**
While the investigations were ongoing, City made history by becoming the first English club to win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.
**February 2020**
UEFA banned Manchester City from European competitions for two seasons and fined the club €30 million after determining that it had committed serious Financial Fair Play breaches.
An independent adjudicatory panel found that City had overstated sponsorship revenue in information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.
City appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
**July 2020**
CAS overturned Manchester City’s two-year European ban and reduced the fine to €10 million.
The sports tribunal ruled that several of the alleged breaches had either not been established or were time-barred. However, City were still fined for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
**February 2023**
After a four-year investigation, the Premier League referred Manchester City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches.
The allegations included claims of inaccurate financial reporting, Financial Fair Play violations, breaches of profitability and sustainability rules and failures to cooperate with league investigations.
City denied all wrongdoing and said they had a substantial body of evidence supporting their position.
Pep Guardiola also defended the club and insisted that City would continue fighting the allegations.
**May 2023**
Despite the ongoing case, Manchester City completed a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
They secured their first Champions League title after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul.
**November 2023**
Everton became the first Premier League club to receive a points deduction for breaching the competition’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Their initial 10-point deduction was later reduced to six following an appeal.
Everton were subsequently handed another two-point deduction, while Nottingham Forest received a four-point penalty for a separate breach.
**May 2024**
Manchester City made Premier League history by becoming the first club to win the English top-flight title four seasons in a row.
**September 2024**
The hearing into the Premier League’s case against City began before an independent commission in London.
**December 2024**
The hearing concluded, with the independent panel beginning its deliberations over the extensive case.
**May 2025**
Guardiola ended his decade-long spell as Manchester City manager after winning 20 trophies during his time at the club.
**September 2025**
Reports emerged claiming that the independent tribunal had found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged financial breaches.
The case, which began with allegations reported in 2018, has grown into one of the most closely watched financial investigations in Premier League history.