Government tells Premier League to punish Man City 'as quickly as possible' after guilty verdict on 114 charges

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 September 2026 · last updated 27 September 2026.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has demanded the Premier League resolve Manchester City's financial scandal without further delay, warning the four-year saga is "really destabilising" for football. City were found guilty on 114 of 115 charges of breaching financial rules covering the period from 2009 to 2018, when they won three Premier League titles and other major honours. The club is expected to appeal, potentially dragging the process on for years more. Nandy told BBC Radio 4 that investors "are custodians of our football clubs" and must uphold the rules regardless of their origins.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says a hefty points deduction remains the 'most likely' punishment, with other clubs expected to seek financial compensation.

Manchester United, runners-up to City in two of the seasons under investigation, could now claim titles — with former United keeper David de Gea posting on X: 'How many Premier League titles have I won then?'

New City manager Enzo Maresca responded to the verdict by sending journalists a Socrates quote: 'The only thing I know is that I know nothing.'