Manchester City’s post-2018 success raises fresh questions over financial conduct

Manchester City could face a new investigation into possible financial-rule breaches in the seasons after 2018, amid questions within the Premier League about whether the practices for which the club was found guilty continued beyond that period.

The concerns have been reported by the British newspaper The Independent, which says some English clubs’ officials are questioning whether the impact of the alleged breaches extended into the years that followed.

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 financial-rule breaches relating to the period from 2009 to 2018. The club continues to maintain its innocence and is appealing against the decision.

Why could there be a further investigation?

The commission’s findings included an allegation that Manchester City overstated the value of sponsorship agreements through undisclosed funding provided by the club’s owners.

That has led officials at other English clubs to ask whether the practice genuinely stopped after 2018. Their concerns have been reinforced by the continued high level of Manchester City’s commercial revenue.

Some club officials believe the continued relationship between the club and Abu Dhabi-linked sponsors could lead to fresh allegations if it were established that undisclosed funding had carried on, or that sponsorship agreements were not assessed according to their true market value.

The issue has attracted further attention because of Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola since 2018.

The club have won six Premier League titles in seven seasons, including four in a row. They also completed the domestic treble before achieving the historic treble in the 2022-2023 season, when they won the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

Some officials believe the period after 2018 has not received enough scrutiny. However, a new investigation could require further evidence, such as leaked emails, which played a part in triggering the original case.

Could a new case become a negotiating tool?

Some officials have warned that opening another investigation could extend the dispute for several more years. Others would prefer to wait for the outcome of Manchester City’s appeal and the sanctions expected to be announced during November.

According to the report, some believe the possibility of a further case could be used as leverage in negotiations over the penalties. The Premier League could potentially avoid opening another file if Manchester City accepted punishment in the current case.

The situation could become more sensitive if the club were put up for sale, either through a decision by the independent football regulator or voluntarily. A fresh investigation could make Manchester City less attractive to potential buyers because of the risk of future sanctions.

Manchester City are scheduled to face Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on 04 November 2026 before playing Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on 07 November 2026.

For now, the club continues to deny wrongdoing as English football awaits the appeal decision and the final sanctions.