City Guilty

Manchester City broke 114 of 115 Premier League financial charges brought against it, an independent panel ruled. The Premier League confirmed the decision.

Nine seasons fell under the panel's review, from 2009-10 through 2017-18, according to the Athletic, as reported by The4thofficial. City won three Premier League titles in that span. The charges accused the club of violating nearly every provision of the league's Financial Fair Play rules, which govern how clubs report their finances to the league. One charge did not stick. The4thofficial's reporting did not specify which allegation the panel dismissed.

Financial Fair Play rules apply across the Premier League. They're meant to keep clubs financially sustainable while limiting how much owner-backed spending can shape the title race. City has denied wrongdoing since the investigation opened and insists it will keep contesting the panel's findings. Years have passed since the league first brought the charges, and the independent panel process has run the whole time.

Manchester United finished second in the Premier League twice during the seasons City won the title in that span, The4thofficial reported. Twenty-two. That's the all-time championship count United would reach if City lost both disputed titles, by the outlet's calculation, reviving a long-running argument between the two clubs' fans over which has won more of England's top flight. United, City's closest rival in Manchester, will watch the case's next phase closely, The4thofficial reported, given the chance the historical record could change.

Punishment remains an open question. The league has not decided on a sanction, The4thofficial reported. Penalties under the rules range from a fine to a points deduction to relegation. Which one City faces has not been determined. No date has been set.

City has not said whether it will appeal once a punishment is set. Its three Premier League titles from the investigated seasons stand for now.

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