Manchester City likely to keep titles despite guilty verdict

Manchester City are likely to keep their past titles despite being found guilty of the majority of 115 Premier League financial charges.

BBC Sport reported on 26 September 2026 that it had been told there is little appetite inside the league, from both the organisation and its clubs, for stripping past championships. The verdict itself was first reported on 25 September.

The charges covered the period between 2009 and 2018. City were accused of breaking financial rules designed to stop clubs spending far beyond what they earn. That included claims the club inflated sponsorship money from connected companies and made other off-the-books payments.

City won eight trophies in that spell. One example shows the scale. In the 2017-18 season, Manchester United finished second under Jose Mourinho, 19 points behind City.

Punishment is still to come. An independent panel will decide the sanction at a separate hearing that has not yet taken place. That means stripping titles cannot be completely ruled out.

Premier League rules list a fine, a points deduction and expulsion as possible punishments. A points deduction means points taken off in the league table. Expulsion would mean removal from the league. The rules also let a disciplinary panel impose a penalty as it sees fit, which in theory could include points taken off retrospectively or titles removed.

Even so, a points deduction, a huge fine or possibly even expulsion are thought to be more likely than losing titles. That is the view reported by the BBC.

City are expected to appeal. Reuters reported the club says the process remains ongoing.

For supporters checking the record books, this matters. If titles were stripped, questions would follow about whether second-placed teams step up. Right now, the signal from the league is no.

What makes this stand out is the wait. Fans have lived with this case for years. Now there is a verdict but no sanction, and likely an appeal to come. The story is not over. It has just moved into its next phase.