Sport

Man City punishment: who decides the sanction for the 114 Premier League breaches – and when

today6th November 2026

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Manchester City are still waiting to learn their punishment after being found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges in September – and the question of who decides the sanction, and when, is now dominating the conversation.

Here is where the case stands, who has the final say, and what could happen to the club.

Where the case stands
VerdictGuilty on 114 of 115 charges (29 September 2026)
Period covered2009 to 2018
City’s positionDeny wrongdoing; appeal lodged on 1 October
SanctionNot yet announced
Expected timingUnclear – reports range from this month to the New Year

Who decides the punishment?

The five-person Premier League board – chair Alison Brittain, chief executive Richard Masters, Mai Fyfield, Dharmash Mistry and Matthew Ryder – will recommend a sanction. But the board does not have the final word: an independent three-person commission weighs the league’s submission against City’s case, including any mitigation, and commissions do not always follow the board’s recommendation.

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The Premier League
“Absolutely. That’s my job.”
Premier League chair Alison Brittain, asked whether protecting competitive balance is her responsibility
“Committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process.”
Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive

What did the commission find?

The commission found that City and their Abu Dhabi-based sponsors were related parties, that the club did not report this relationship or have the deals’ fair market value assessed, and described sponsorship deals inflated by disguised owner investment. The case began with leaked emails first published in November 2018.

The Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City
Manchester City are waiting for both the sanction and the outcome of their appeal. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

What could City face?

Possible sanctions
FinePossible
Points deductionPossible – the size is pure speculation for now
Transfer restrictionsPossible
Stripping past titlesReported as unlikely
ExpulsionPossible under the rules, but seen as extreme

The appeal timeline

City lodged their appeal on 1 October. The process should be completed within 12 weeks of submission, with a hearing of up to five days, after which the appeal board has 30 days to rule – which points to a final outcome in early 2027.

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Some executives at other clubs want the league to look at City’s finances in later seasons too, but nothing formal has been announced.

Written by: Energy Radio Newsroom