Manchester City disciplinary saga ends with guilty findings on most charges

Manchester City’s disciplinary saga has unfolded into an unprecedented chapter of English football, a story that has drawn sharp criticism for its stark contrast between the club’s public image and its alleged conduct. The club, described as a “grand, stoic old club” that was taken over in 2008 by Abu Dhabi royalty and mega‑funded for success, has been accused of financial cheating that has put the sport at a breaking point.

The investigation, which began in December 2018, has led to more than 100 charges against the club. Sources confirmed on Friday that Pep Guardiola’s expensively constructed City teams, which have won five Premier League titles and the Champions League since the inquiry started, were found guilty on almost all of those charges. The drama surrounding Manchester City’s alleged cheating has become a landmark case in the history of English football, with no precedent of its scale or severity.