Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League for numerous breaches of financial rules, following a four-year investigation.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is challenged by Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is challenged by Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Writing in a statement on Monday morning, the Premier League confirmed that they’ve referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City to a commission.

The rules that have allegedly been breached include the below:

  • “Provision…in the utmost good faith, of accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position, in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs”
  • The requirement of a Premier League club “to include full details of manager remuneration in its relevant contracts with its manager” and “full details of player remuneration in its relevant contracts with its players”
  • The requirement of a Premier League club “to comply with UEFA’s regulations, including UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations”
  • The requirement to adhere to rules on “profitability and sustainability”
  • The requirement to “cooperate with, and assist, the Premier League in its investigations, including by providing documents and information to the Premier League in the utmost good faith”

The dates of said alleged breaches range from 2009/10 to 2022/23.

The commission assessing the alleged breaches operate independently of the Premier League and the clubs involved, and the proceedings will be confidential and private.

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The final results will be published on the Premier League’s website, and the league will make no further comment until those results are available.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on December 31, 2022. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

So what does this all mean? In short, Manchester City are alleged to have breached various financial rules and then failed to cooperate with the Premier League as those alleged breaches were investigated.

There will be a range of possible sanctions, but Martyn Ziegler of The Times reports that these include a potential points deduction if breaches are proven.

We’ve already seen a similar case in Europe this season, with Juventus deducted 15 points for their financial irregularities.

We’re a long way off the same result for Manchester City, and City have escaped punishment over allegations of financial breaches in the past.

But make no mistake, this is a major series of allegations by the Premier League after a lengthy investigation, so things may well turn out differently this time.

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