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Manchester City are reportedly set to be found guilty on more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules after a long-awaited verdict was reached.
After a four-year investigation, the eight-time Premier League champions were referred to an independent commission in early 2023 regarding a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
Almost two years on from a 12-week hearing, a decision has been reached in one of the most significant court cases in sporting history – though Manchester City may yet appeal.
While any possible sanctions for the club, which has denied all charges, are still to be confirmed, the verdict could well prove a seminal moment within English football around a club that has risen into a Premier League powerhouse across the two decades.
Here is the full timeline of everything that led to this moment:
September 2008
Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group agree to buy Manchester City for £200m. The takeover sees the club become the richest in the world.
December 2009
Roberto Mancini appointed manager following sacking of Mark Hughes.
August 2010
Yaya Toure and David Silva signed as City spend over £120m in summer transfer market.
May 2011
Toure scores winner as City defeat Stoke 1-0 to win FA Cup at Wembley. Toure also scored winner in semi-final win over rivals Manchester United.
May 2012
Sergio Aguero scores 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season to win City the Premier League title, one of the most dramatic moments in English football history.
January 2013
The City Football Ground is founded, with Manchester City the central club.
May 2013
Roberto Mancini is sacked after City fail to defend title and lose FA Cup final to Wigan. Manuel Pellegrini is named as his replacement.
May 2014
City win second Premier League title. City reach a €20m settlement with Uefa following an investigation of alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
February 2016
Pep Guardiola agrees to replace Pellegrini at the end of the season and signs a three-year contract.
May 2018
City become the first team in Premier League history to win the title with 100 points as Guardiola wins first title as City manager.
November 2018
German newspaper Der Spiegel publish leaked documents, obtained by Football Leaks, alleging Manchester City had inflated the value of sponsorship deals in order to circumvent FFP rules.
May 2019
Uefa launches investigation into Manchester City over alleged breach of FFP. City say the accusations are “false” and result from the “illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails”.
February 2020
Uefa announce two-year Champions League ban and €30m fine after City found to have committed “serious breaches” of FFP regulations between 2012 and 2016. City describe the process as “prejudicial” and confirm plan to appeal.
July 2020
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) overturns City’s two-year Champions League ban and reduces fine to €10m. Cas rules that City are cleared of “disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions” but adds club did “fail to cooperate with Uefa authorities”.
May 2021
City regain Premier League title but lose club’s first Champions League final to Chelsea.
February 2023
Manchester City charged by the Premier League with over 100 breaches of its financial rules between 2009 and 2018, following a four-year investigation. They are alleged to have broken financial fair play rules and failed to have co-operated with the Premier League’s investigation. City deny all charges and announce their “surprise”, insisting there is “irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence.
June 2023
Manchester City defeat Inter Milan to win the Champions League for the first time. It completes the ‘Treble’ after also winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
May 2024
Manchester City become the first team in English football history to win four league titles in a row. It is their eighth league title since the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
September 2024
The hearing into Manchester City’s charges begins at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
November 2024
Guardiola signs a new two-year contract with Manchester City.
December 2024
The hearing into Manchester City’s charges ends after 12 weeks.
January 2025
Erling Haaland, the record-breaking striker, signs a new 10-year contact.
August 2025
Speaking before the start of the 2025-26 season, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters pleads for patience, reiterating that his organisation has no control over the timings.
May 2026
Arsenal beat Manchester City to the Premier League title, their first for 22 years and following three consecutive runners-up finishes.
May 2026
Pep Guardiola announces his departure after 10 years at the club. Guardiola, who won 17 major trophies at City, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League, said the club needs “new energy”.
June 2026
Enzo Maresca is appointed Guardiola’s successor and signs three-year contract as manager.
September 2026
The verdict into Manchester City’s charges is revealed.
