Manchester City have been found guilty on almost all of the charges against them relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations, according to reports in The Athletic and The Times on Friday.
As per The Athletic, Man City have been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges levelled against them, according to anonymous sources briefed on the matter.
Potential sanctions against City have not been decided, with the club expected to appeal the ruling.
The sanctions, it should be remembered, can range from point deductions - which can be retroactive and mean the loss of titles - to expulsion from the Premier League.
A spokesperson from the club was quoted by The Athletic saying: "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."
It should be recalled that the accusations date back to a period between 2009 and 2018, initiated after an investigation by the German newspaper Der Spiegel. The Premier League accused Manchester City of failing to provide financial information and details of payments to coaches and players, as well as breaking the financial rules of the competition and UEFA, all of which were denied by the club.
In February 2020, the governing body of European football fined City €30 million and imposed a two-year ban from continental competitions. However, an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport led to the reversal of the suspension, based on the fact that some of the alleged charges had expired. Nevertheless, the club paid €10 million in fines for lack of cooperation with UEFA.
During the period of the investigation, Manchester City won three consecutive English league titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and one Community Shield.
Everton were docked 10 points in 2023 for a single breach of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules. This was later reduced to six points after an appeal. The Toffees received a further two-point deduction for a separate breach, while Nottingham Forest were docked four points in 2024.
