Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; Score808 Live provides the summary and editorial framing.
Independent Commission Delivers Verdict on Financial Breaches
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of all serious charges concerning breaches of Premier League financial rules spanning the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons. The ruling, detailed in a 40-page document, concluded that the club systematically disguised funding from its owner and submitted financial accounts that failed to give a true and fair view of its financial health. Manchester City confirmed it will appeal the decision before the deadline on Friday, October 2.
Key Findings: Disguised Funding and Inflated Sponsorships
The commission established that several of Manchester City’s commercial contracts were "shams" designed to conceal direct funding from Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). Key financial conclusions from the inquiry include:
- Overstated Revenue: The club overstated its sponsorship income by £830.69m through deals priced far above fair market value.
- Loss Mitigation: The concealed funding mechanism allowed the club to avoid recording the largest single-season loss in Premier League history.
- Hidden Remuneration: Three separate remuneration agreements were omitted entirely from the club's official accounts and funded directly by ADUG.
- Rule Circumvention: The commission determined that the club acted with clear intent to circumvent both Premier League and UEFA financial regulations.
The Fordham Arrangement and Project Longbow
The panel highlighted a scheme known as 'The Fordham Arrangement', which operated as a component of Project Longbow—an initiative designed to increase revenue and reduce operating losses. While other strands of Project Longbow were deemed legitimate, the commission ruled that Fordham served as "little more than a front for ADUG."
Through this arrangement, Manchester City overstated its income by £24.5m and understated operating expenses by £49.414m, effectively masking the origin of owner-funded capital and removing operational costs from its balance sheet.
Witness Testimony and Non-Cooperation
The proceedings involved 27 witnesses across 42 days in the final quarter of 2024, supported by tens of thousands of pages of documentary evidence. The panel determined that Manchester City made concerted efforts to frustrate the inquiry. Several club witnesses provided false evidence, with the commission concluding that certain representatives gave knowingly untrue and dishonest testimony.
The only charge not proven against the club related to a single element of the Premier League's broader non-cooperation case. The Premier League characterized the violations as significant, sustained, and intentional breaches critical to the fair operation of the competition.
What Comes Next
Manchester City has formally stated its intention to appeal the verdict. Legal proceedings will continue leading into the October 2 deadline, as the club seeks to challenge the commission's comprehensive findings.
