FA considers next steps after Manchester City found guilty of financial rule breaches

The Football Association says the independent Commission’s findings against Manchester City have “significant implications for the integrity of the game” and that it is considering whether further action is required.

The FA issued its statement on Friday after the Commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.

The club was also found to have breached most of the charges concerning its failure to co-operate with the Premier League’s investigation.

“We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate,” the FA said.

“As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely.”

The FA did not specify what any possible action might involve.

Findings and possible sanctions

A summary published by the Premier League said the Commission found Manchester City had used commercial arrangements that did not accurately reflect the true agreements with some partners.

Those arrangements were said to have artificially increased revenue and reduced costs by more than £900m during the period examined. The Commission also concluded that City had submitted inaccurate accounts and failed to report income and expenditure correctly under the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The league said the Commission found the club had “clearly intended to circumvent the PL Rules”.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the verdict as a significant moment for English football and said it established the facts of what happened at City over almost a decade.

“It also vindicates the Premier League’s decision to pursue this case against Manchester City,” he said. “While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.”

Masters added that upholding rules approved by the clubs was essential to protecting the competition’s integrity and ensuring it remained fair and competitive for clubs and supporters.

“This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history,” he said.

The question of punishment will be considered separately by the independent Commission. Potential sanctions under the rules include fines, points deductions and other sporting measures.

“There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches,” Masters said. “Now we have the Commission’s decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process.”

Manchester City to appeal

Manchester City rejected the findings and said it would use the available appeal process.

“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,” the club said.

City added that the Commission’s opinion contained “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and was unsafe. It said it would be “relentless” and, where necessary, proactive in the appropriate regulatory and legal forums.

The deadline for City to appeal is Friday, October 2. The separate sanctions hearing will be private and confidential until publication of its outcome is permitted.

The FA said it would continue monitoring developments while assessing the implications of the decision.