Timeline: How Man City’s 115 financial charges unfolded

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Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of 115 counts of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.

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Allegations against the English giants of financial breaches between 2009 and 2018 began nearly eight years ago.

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AFP Sport looks at how the case reached this point:

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November 2018

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German publication Der Spiegel alleges City attempted to bypass UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by allowing their Abu Dhabi-based sponsors to make backdated cash injections.

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City hit back saying the claims came from an “illegal hack” and the publication of internal club emails is part of an “organised and clear attempt” to smear their reputation.

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March 2019

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On the back of the allegations published in Der Spiegel, both UEFA and the Premier League open investigations into potential breaches of FFP.

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May 2019

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City become the first English side to win a domestic treble of Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

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February 2020

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UEFA ban City from European competitions for two seasons and fine the English champions 30 million euros after they are found to have committed “serious breaches” of FFP regulations.

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An independent adjudicatory panel found City overstated its sponsorship revenue in its accounts submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.

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City immediately announce the club’s intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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July 2020

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City successfully overturn the two-year ban and have fine reduced to 10 million euros.

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CAS finds that most of the alleged breaches reported were either not established or time-barred. However, a significant fine is still imposed on account of City’s failure to cooperate with the investigation.

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February 2023

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After a four-year investigation, the Premier League refer City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of finance rules.

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Among the alleged breaches are a failure to provide accurate financial information, FFP breaches, breaches of profitability and sustainability and failure to cooperate with investigations and regulations.

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The club deny any wrongdoing and claim to have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position”.

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Manager Pep Guardiola says the club have already been “condemned” but vows to stay as City fight to clear their name.

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May 2023

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City become only the second ever English club to win a treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. They lift the coveted European trophy for the first time in the club’s history after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Istanbul final.

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November 2023

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Everton become the first Premier League team to be deducted points for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Initially docked 10 points, the Merseyside club have the sanction reduced to six on appeal.

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Everton are hit with a further two-point deduction for a further breach in the 2022/23 season, while Nottingham Forest lose four points for breaching the rules in the same campaign.

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May 2024

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City become the first side to ever win four consecutive Premier League titles.

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September 2024

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The hearing in front of an independent commission begins in central London.

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December 2024

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The tribunal comes to an end with the panel retiring to consider their verdict.

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May 2025

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Guardiola steps down after 10 years and 20 trophies as manager.

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September 2025

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Verdict reportedly finds City guilty of 114 out of 115 charges.

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AFP

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