Did Manchester City Try to Settle Financial Charges With Just a Fine?

Manchester City were informed as early as June or July that they had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges regarding financial rule breaches, according to Spanish outlet AS. The notification reportedly arrived at the end of the season, though the public announcement was delayed. In the meantime, the Premier League champions were able to conduct business as usual in the transfer market, splashing around €526 million on new arrivals over the summer.

The report claims City proposed paying a substantial financial settlement, but the Premier League insisted on sporting sanctions—a stance the club firmly resisted. The delay allegedly enabled City to overhaul their squad before the full consequences of the investigation unfolded, pushing through big-money deals including several midfielders exceeding €100 million alongside high-profile young talents.

Journalist José Félix Díaz turned the spotlight on City CEO Ferran Soriano, who previously served as Barcelona's CEO during the era scrutinized in the Negreira refereeing scandal and was later linked to Spanair before its collapse in 2012. Díaz suggests Soriano could face individual penalties in the final verdict, which could potentially lead to a lifetime ban from English football.

Meanwhile, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham are reportedly preparing a joint compensation claim for damages suffered as a result of City's alleged breaches. AS notes that the case is shaping up to be one of the biggest scandals in the history of English football.