A look back on Manchester City's battle with the authorities after the club was found guilty of all but one of the Premier League's charges against them

More than 15 years since Manchester City started winning trophies under Sheikh Mansour, the club has been found guilty of virtually every charge meted out by the Premier League. Starting with the 2011 FA Cup, the club's first major trophy in 35 years, City won eight trophies in the period covered by the case (2009-2018), including three Premier League titles, three League Cups and one Community Shield.

The 2011-12 league title was the first of eight they have won overall. City's financial dealings have been under scrutiny since the mid-2010s when they clashed with UEFA on several occasions. Here's a recap of the allegations City have faced, dating back more than a decade.

Clashing with UEFA

City were fined €60million (about £49m) and ordered to operate with a reduced Champions League squad in 2014 by European football's governing body for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Three years later, they received more than half of that figure back after complying with the sanction.

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Der Spiegel allegations

In 2018, Der Spiegel published allegations from the Football Leaks website claiming that City inflated the value of sponsorship deals to circumvent FFP rules, prompting UEFA to launch another investigation.

That probe resulted in a two-year ban from European competitions, which was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Meanwhile, the Premier League launched its own investigation into the club, resulting in the 115 charges being issued in February 2023, with City pleading their innocence.

Treble glory

A few months later, City became just the second English club, after Manchester United, to win the Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. More trophies followed and City made it four league titles in a row in 2024.

But as the Sky Blues celebrated, rival clubs and fans questioned their success and grew increasingly frustrated about the wait for an outcome, especially as other clubs received points deductions for milder breaches of financial regulations.

Pep departs as wait goes on

The independent hearing between City and the Premier League came and went but the wait for a verdict continued. The trophies kept coming, with City winning a domestic cup double last season, although they have lost their grip on the Premier League, while Pep Guardiola left the club in the summer.

Verdict reached, but...

A verdict has finally been reached, with City found guilty of all but one of the charges. However, it's far from game over. It remains to be seen how City will be punished, while the club will almost certainly appeal, potentially leading to another lengthy wait for a final resolution to the most acrimonious case in Premier League history.

Man City 115 charge timeline

May 2014: City were hit with a fine of around £49million, transfer restrictions and made to name a smaller Champions League squad than usual after being found guilty of breaching the European governing body's regulations in 2014.

April 2017: City were refunded around £33.4m of that fine after UEFA confirmed the club had complied with the sanctions imposed on them.

November 2018: Der Spiegel publishes allegations from the Football Leaks website claiming City inflated the value of sponsorship deals to circumvent FFP rules.

March 2019: UEFA officially launches an investigation into the club over alleged FFP breaches.

May 2019: City criticise the UEFA probe and submit an appeal against the process.

November 2019: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismisses City's early appeal, ruling it inadmissible.

February 2020: UEFA give City a two-year ban from European competitions and a fine of around £26m for "serious breaches" of FFP between 2012 and 2016.

July 2020: CAS overturns City's European ban on appeal, while the fine is reduced by more than half. CAS clear City of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions" but maintain they "failed to cooperate with UEFA authorities."

July 2021: High Court ruling confirms the Premier League is actively investigating City for alleged financial breaches.

April 2022: Der Spiegel releases further reports detailing the ongoing three-year Premier League investigation.

February 2023: The Premier League formally charges City with 115 alleged financial breaches, which the club denies.

September 2024: A 12-week-long independent hearing between the Premier League and City begins.

September 2026: It emerges that City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges, with the club set to appeal.