Manchester City Football Club controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile4 entries
2026
Treasury Committee urges HMRC to scrutinise tax implications of Manchester City verdict
Investigation
The cross-party Treasury Committee, which oversees HMRC, has urged the tax authority to scrutinise the tax implications of the Manchester City verdict and asked whether HMRC has requested the redacted documents contained in the commission's report. The letter follows a Tax Policy Associates report claiming City failed to pay as much as £12m in unpaid tax because of a "sham" contract with former manager Roberto Mancini, with a possible penalty charge taking liabilities to £24m. No HMRC investigation has been confirmed.
Source excerpt
Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, said she would "welcome reassurance from HMRC that you are seized of the importance of these issues and the public interest in this case".
The Treasury Committee, which is responsible for overseeing HMRC, has urged the body to scrutinise tax implications of the Manchester City verdict.
which claims City failed to pay as much as £12m in unpaid tax because of a "sham" contract with former manager Roberto Mancini
2026
Independent commission finds Manchester City guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules
Ruling
It was confirmed on Tuesday (29 September 2026) that an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, reported as 114 of the 115 charges, including artificially inflating revenue through "sham" sponsorship agreements with the help of its owners and using devices to disguise the true extent of certain club liabilities. The club has repeatedly denied guilt, claims the decision contains clear material errors, and has signalled an intent to lodge an appeal by Friday.
Company response
Denial — Manchester City
City have claimed the commission's decision contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe".
Source excerpt
The club were found to have artificially inflated revenue through "sham" sponsorship agreements with the help of their owners.
City have repeatedly denied guilt, and have signalled an intent to lodge an appeal by Friday.
The independent commission which studied the case found City "utilised devices" to "disguise the true extent of certain club liabilities".
2026
UK audit regulator makes inquiries into Manchester City accounting
Investigation
The UK Financial Reporting Council confirmed that it was making inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City after taking over regulatory consideration of the case. The regulator stated that no formal investigation had been started. The confirmation concerned the regulator's inquiries into the accounting irregularities and its assumption of regulatory consideration of the matter. No further details on the scope, timing, or outcome of the inquiries were provided in the source.
The UK Financial Reporting Council confirmed it was making inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City after taking over regulatory consideration of the case. The regulator said no formal investigation had started.
Source excerpt
Published 20 October 2026
No formal investigation has started, but the FRC is making inquiries into the case.
The UK audit regulator has confirmed it is leading inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City.
2023
Premier League alleged financial-rule breaches
The Premier League referred Manchester City to an independent commission over numerous alleged breaches concerning financial information and regulatory compliance. Manchester City has denied the allegations. The supplied references do not establish a final determination.