Manchester City guilty of all charges related to "serious breaches" of Premier League financial rules

An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of the majority of the charges against them when it comes to breaching Premier League financial regulations over almost a decade. City were found guilty of all "serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules" which spanned a nine-season period between 2009-10 and 2017-18. They were also found guilty on the majority of charges when it came to their failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s ensuing investigation which took several years. It was also announced that an independent commission will hold a separate hearing to decide on the sanctions handed out to City, while City have until Friday October 2 to appeal. Some of the key findings of the independent commission were that City: Arranged "sham" contracts and agreements with its commercial partners to inflate the club’s revenues, and reduce costs, by more than £900 million "to appear to comply with financial rules" As such, if Manchester City had accurately reported their finances, they would have breached the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules and UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Rules "by a very substantial amount" Manchester City "made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation" Premier League statement “The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade," Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, said. "It also vindicates the Premier League’s decision to pursue this case against Manchester City.  While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently." The full statement from the Premier League can be read here . Manchester City statement City released a statement here , saying they are "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League" and "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions" and say that "the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted." "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.   The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.  The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums. The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted.  Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it..."