> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bushletter.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Manchester City could lose three titles after guilty verdict - URL: https://www.bushletter.com/manchester-city-could-lose-three-titles-after-guilty-verdict/ - Published: 2026-09-30T04:56:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T01:35:25.000Z - Description: The commission found sham contracts inflated revenue and reduced costs by more than 900 million pounds. City will appeal; sanctions remain undecided. - Author: Editor - Tags: Sport, UK, Manchester City FC ![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png) By **Caleb Reed** · 2026-09-30 TLDR An independent Premier League commission found Manchester City guilty of arranging sham commercial contracts to inflate revenues and cut costs by more than £900 million across nine seasons. Three Premier League titles won during that period are at risk, pending City's appeal. ## Nine seasons, £900 million and a verdict An independent Premier League commission found Manchester City FC guilty of all serious charges related to breaches of the league's financial rules on 29 September 2026.[\[1\]](https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2026/09/29/9bb3f063-6312-4d15-a1f1-77280d356a49/Premier-League-Manchester-City-independent-Commission-Redacted-Core-Decision.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) The ruling covers nine seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The purpose of these schemes was found to have been to artificially inflate the club's revenues and reduce its costs. This shifted more than £900 million during the affected period to appear to comply with financial rules.[\[2\]](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4727779/premier-league-statement-manchester-city-fc?ref=bushletter.com) City was cleared of Charge 4(B) only. The commission found City arranged sham commercial agreements with sponsors to mischaracterise equity contributions as income and conceal liabilities.[\[1\]](https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2026/09/29/9bb3f063-6312-4d15-a1f1-77280d356a49/Premier-League-Manchester-City-independent-Commission-Redacted-Core-Decision.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) The Club's revenues were inflated and costs reduced by more than £900 million across the nine seasons through these schemes.[\[1\]](https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2026/09/29/9bb3f063-6312-4d15-a1f1-77280d356a49/Premier-League-Manchester-City-independent-Commission-Redacted-Core-Decision.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) ## Titles, rivals and sanctions Manchester City won three Premier League titles between 2009/10 and 2017/18, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, including the record 100-point campaign in 2017/18\. Those titles are at risk pending appeal. A points deduction could alter the historical league table and redistribute silverware to other clubs. Sanctions available to the league include points deductions and expulsion. Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal stand to benefit if City's points across that period are adjusted. Proceedings commenced in February 2023\. The substantive hearing ran for 42 days between September and December 2024.[\[1\]](https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2026/09/29/9bb3f063-6312-4d15-a1f1-77280d356a49/Premier-League-Manchester-City-independent-Commission-Redacted-Core-Decision.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) ## City's response Manchester City said it was both disappointed and surprised by the commission's opinion.[\[3\]](https://www.mancity.com/news/club/manchester-city-club-statement-premier-league-63926128?ref=bushletter.com) The club said a full body of evidence exists in support of all its positions. It pledged to pursue all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.[\[3\]](https://www.mancity.com/news/club/manchester-city-club-statement-premier-league-63926128?ref=bushletter.com) City will appeal on grounds of material errors of law, principle and fact.[\[3\]](https://www.mancity.com/news/club/manchester-city-club-statement-premier-league-63926128?ref=bushletter.com) The Premier League referred the charges under league Rule W.3.4 in February 2023.[\[4\]](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/3045970?mibextid=zxz2cz&ref=bushletter.com) No date for the appeal hearing has been set. KEY TAKEAWAYS 01Manchester City was found guilty of all serious charges covering nine Premier League seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18. 02Revenues were inflated and costs cut by more than £900 million through sham contracts, the commission found. 03Three Premier League titles won during the affected period could be at risk pending the appeal outcome. 04The substantive hearing ran for 42 days between September and December 2024. 05City called the ruling a surprise and pledged to appeal on errors of law, principle and fact. SOURCES & CITATIONS 1. [Premier League Manchester City independent Commission Redacted Core Decision](https://resources.premierleague.pulselive.com/premierleague/document/2026/09/29/9bb3f063-6312-4d15-a1f1-77280d356a49/Premier-League-Manchester-City-independent-Commission-Redacted-Core-Decision.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) 2. [Premier League statement: Manchester City FC](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4727779/premier-league-statement-manchester-city-fc?ref=bushletter.com) 3. [Manchester City club statement](https://www.mancity.com/news/club/manchester-city-club-statement-premier-league-63926128?ref=bushletter.com) 4. [Premier League referral of Manchester City FC charges, February 2023](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/3045970?mibextid=zxz2cz&ref=bushletter.com) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What did the commission find Manchester City guilty of? The commission found Manchester City arranged sham commercial agreements with sponsors to mischaracterise equity contributions as income and conceal liabilities, inflating revenues and cutting costs by more than £900 million across nine seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18. Are Manchester City's Premier League titles at risk? Yes. Three Premier League titles won during the affected period could be at risk pending the outcome of City's appeal. Sanctions available include points deductions and expulsion. What happens next? Manchester City has pledged to appeal the verdict on grounds of material errors of law, principle and fact. No date for the appeal hearing has been announced. ![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png) [Caleb Reed](https://bushletter.com/author/caleb-reed/?ref=bushletter.com) Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport. He works to the rhythm of a story as it unfolds, and he is happiest when the facts arrive faster than anyone can spin them.