Man City verdict: rival clubs push for sanctions spread over several seasons

Several Premier League clubs want Manchester City to face penalties that cover both the years in which they broke the rules and the seasons still to come, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. The independent commission's guilty verdict was published on Tuesday 29 September, City lodged their appeal at 7pm on Thursday 1 October, and no sanction has been set yet. City play their first match since the ruling at Anfield on Sunday.

What were Manchester City found guilty of?

The commission found City guilty of breaching the league's financial rules over nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18. According to the findings reported by ESPN and The Guardian, the club used "sham" commercial arrangements to inflate revenue, with the figure put at more than £830m of owner funding in one summary and around £900m in others. ESPN puts the total number of breaches at 114.

City reject the ruling. In its statement on the appeal, the club called the commission's opinion "unsafe", argued that it is wrong on the law, the principles and the facts, and insisted it is innocent. The Premier League said the Appeal Board will have three members, one of whom must have held judicial office, and that the hearing will stay private until the outcome can be published.

What punishment do rival clubs want?

BBC Sport's sources describe a broad view among a group of top-flight executives, though not a unanimous one:

At least four boardrooms reportedly regard a one-off deduction that sends City to the Championship as too lenient. One source told the BBC that letting City sign players in January while the case is still open would be "bizarre".

Which clubs could seek compensation?

The commission's ruling did not deal with compensation for other clubs. ESPN recalls that in September 2024 four clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, told City through lawyers that they reserved the right to claim if a guilty verdict came. ESPN's reporting suggests all four are likely to wait for the sanction before deciding.

The cases differ. Liverpool finished one point behind City in 2018-19 (97 points) and 2021-22 (92 points). Tottenham finished fifth with City above them in four of five seasons after 2010. Arsenal sold Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gaël Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna to City between 2009 and 2014.

What are former players saying?

Jamie Carragher, speaking on The Overlap, argued that a points penalty limited to one season would only mean relegation and a quick return. He said the punishment should run over three to five years so that players move on.

Kyle Walker, who won the Champions League and 12 major domestic honours in eight years at City, told talkSPORT the verdict "doesn't look great" but that what the squad celebrated cannot be taken away. Walker, now Burnley captain, said he would not comment on the legal process while the appeal is ongoing.

What happens next?

The timetable for the appeal and for any sanctions hearing has not been made public, and some clubs told the BBC they feel "in the dark" about it. On the pitch, City arrive at Anfield on Sunday top of the table with 15 points from five games. Merseyside Police said a suitable policing plan will be in place for the match.