Manchester City’s long-running battle with the Premier League over 115 alleged financial rule breaches remains one of English football’s most consequential unresolved issues since February 2023. While Liverpool have no direct involvement in the case, few clubs have as much riding on the outcome.
Here is a full breakdown of what the charges involve, where the case currently stands, and exactly how a guilty verdict could reshape Liverpool’s recent history and possibly add to their trophy cabinet.
What Are the 115 Charges, Exactly?
According to reports from The Athletic, the Premier League charged Manchester City following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial conduct between 2009 and 2018. As reported by David Ornstein, the charges break down into several categories:
Over fifty charges relate to City allegedly failing to provide accurate financial information reflecting the club’s true financial state, including revenue, sponsorship income, and operating costs from 2009-2010 to 2017-2018.
Another fourteen (14) charges for failing to give accurate details on players’ and the managerial board’s compensation, where the actual amounts received as payments do not match the records.
Seven (7) charges of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules, which were designed to limit club losses and ensure the long-term economic health of English football.
They have five (5) charges of non-compliance with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations ruling against them from 2013-2014 to 2017-2018, which require European football clubs to balance their budgets and limit spending on player wages, transfers, and agent fees relative to their generated revenue.
An additional 35 charges accuse City of failure to cooperate with Premier League investigations between December 2018 and February 2023.
Regardless of the charges levelled at City by the Premier League, they have consistently and firmly denied every charge, describing their defence as backed by overwhelming evidence.
Where the Case Stands Right Now
A private hearing before an independent commission was conducted from September to December 2024 at an International Dispute Resolution Centre in London. Since then, the football world has been left waiting for any update on the case.
However, multiple reports have been circulating throughout 2025, going into 2016, but no concrete decision has been made on a possible sanction on City.
At the moment, no final ruling has been passed, as the panel is reportedly still working through a large volume of evidence before handing it over for Judgement.
Despite the delay in the case, speculation from observers and pundits has pointed to City’s continued heavy transfer spending as a sign the club may be confident of a favourable outcome, while others note the panel has been granted unusually broad powers, meaning a guilty verdict, if arrived at, could be severe.
What Punishment Could City Face
If found guilty, the range of possible sanctions is unusually wide for a football governance case. Reports have floated punishments which include;
Potential point deductions
Heavy fines
Transfer bans
Stripping of titles won during the period in questions
Expulsion from the Premier League in the most extreme cases
For context, the Manchester City accused span covers the 2009-2010 to 2017/2018 seasons, a period during which the club won multiple Premier League titles. If the preceding commission in charge of the case finds City guilty of the charges against them, then the above sanction will be the talking point.
How Would a Guilty Verdict Actually Benefit Liverpool
City has been a major contender for the English Premier League title as far back as the 2011/2012 season, when they won their first Premier League title. Over the last few seasons, City has prevented Liverpool from winning the title, finishing ahead of them in the 2013/2014, 2018/2019, and 2021/2022 seasons.
If found guilty of the 115 charges and receive a sanction of stripping titles won during the period, Liverpool would gain five (5) trophies: three Premier League titles, one Carabao Cup title and the Community Shield.
In the 2013/2014 season, Liverpool finished second place with 84 points, just two points behind Manchester City, who won the title. If City get stripped of this title as a result of a point deduction, Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool’s manager for that season, automatically has a Premier League title record to his name.
The most fascinating part of this topic is that Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s legendary captain, can become a Premier League title winner if Manchester City is stripped of the 2013/2014 title. Giving him and the likes of Luis Suárez, Simon Mignolet, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, and Daniel Sturridge a Premier League title to their name.
Also, Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager from 2015 to 2024, would have an additional two (2) Premier League trophies to his name from his 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 runs, when he finished just one point behind Manchester City.
For now, Liverpool, like every other Premier League club, can only wait for the final verdict of the ongoing charges against City. If the outcome does go against them and sanctions are placed, the Reds can possibly gain these additional trophies.
