Manchester City found guilty by independent commission; squad futures clouded as appeal looms
Manchester City were found guilty on Tuesday by an independent commission of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, the ruling confirmed. The club must lodge an appeal by Friday, leaving immediate uncertainty over sanctions and how those sanctions could affect the playing squad.
The commission’s finding follows earlier reporting that City faced 115 Premier League charges, of which the club had previously been accused of the majority; City have repeatedly denied guilt. The judgement has prompted debate over potential punishments and questions about the owners’ future, and the Premier League issued a scathing statement on Tuesday. BBC Sport spoke to multiple sources to assess the implications for player retention, contract renewals and transfer activity.
Sources close to the first team describe significant concern among players about how they would be affected should sanctions include demotion, while others remain persuaded by club executives Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano in their promises to prove City’s innocence. There is major scepticism among some people close to players about the prospects of a successful appeal, and views among squad members are mixed according to BBC Sport’s reporting.
Contractual mechanics would limit some exits: BBC Sport understands the majority of City players do not have relegation clauses and that contracts are generally fully guaranteed, so players would not automatically face percentage pay cuts if the club were demoted. City retain player registrations and can demand transfer fees, meaning departures would not be straightforward even for players who wish to leave. The club’s high wage bill would be harder to sustain without Premier League income, and parachute payments could mitigate that pressure though there are no guarantees City would be entitled to them if demoted.
Agents and intermediaries told BBC Sport the punishment still to be determined complicates new signings and contract talks. "This isn't the players' failing, it's on the club. Potential new signings aren't even in the building and joining City without knowing what the punishment would be represents an undeniable risk, so any new contracts would have to have indemnities," said one leading agent. Another agent said: "Some players want medals, all players want money." FIFA rules requiring release clauses in every deal signed on or after 1 January 2027 were also noted as a forthcoming factor; City players do have release clauses in deals that trigger if the club enters administration.
How willing City would be to sell will depend on whether they regard themselves as distressed sellers, but BBC Sport was told the club still holds strong control of the situation and is unlikely to simply allow disillusioned players to depart without suitable offers. If sanctions include a transfer embargo, City could be prevented from registering new signings, increasing the likelihood they would need to promote academy players into the first team. BBC Sport noted other clubs are already exploring opportunities to recruit some of City’s academy talent.
Only four first-team players — Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Marcus Bettinelli and Geronimo Rulli — have contracts expiring in the next two summers, which lessens immediate renewal urgency for most of the squad. Until the Premier League’s sanctions are finalised and any appeal is resolved, clubs, players and agents are likely to await clarity before concluding major transfers or contract renewals.
