+ What has City done?
The English club has had 115 allegations made against it, and has violated virtually all of them, the Premier League confirmed on Tuesday.
The league had an independent commission examine City. It concluded, among other things, that the club artificially increased its revenues and reduced its costs by the equivalent of almost 12 billion kronor during the period 2009-2018, to give the appearance of complying with the financial rules.
For example, there were allegedly several fake agreements with sponsors, who only had to pay a portion of the actual amount. The rest was allegedly pumped in by the company that owns City, Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development (ADUG) from the United Arab Emirates. ADUG bought the club in 2008.
+ How was everything discovered?
The allegations are based on internal emails published by German magazine Der Spiegel, which allegedly revealed how the club had tried to hide where the money came from. The basis for Der Spiegel's revelation came from the website "Football Leaks", writes AP.
+ How many titles did City win during that time?
Between 2009 and 2018, Manchester City won the league three times, the FA Cup twice and the League Cup four times.
+ What does the club say?
The club denies the allegations and has expressed surprise and disappointment at the investigation's conclusions.
"The club is innocent," Manchester City wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
+ What happens now?
Manchester City have until Friday to appeal, which the club has announced it intends to do.
Any sanctions will be decided by the same independent commission that reviewed City. Exactly when this will happen is not known.
+ How severe can the punishment be?
Hard, at least if you listen to City's former chairman. David Bernstein, who was chairman of the club between 1998 and 2003, says there is only one type of punishment that would be felt enough: relegating City from the top flight.
"If their appeal fails, they can't stay in the league, they have to suffer. And I say that as a supporter," he told the BBC.
But there are many possible sanctions, ranging from fines and points deductions to being thrown out of the Premier League - the latter would likely lead to a mass exodus of the team's stars.
In comparison, Everton were given a ten-point deduction in 2023 (later reduced to six points) for spending beyond their means over a three-year period. City's allegations are much more extensive and also include the club's failure to cooperate with the investigation.
There may also be claims for damages from other clubs who believe they have suffered financial damage from City's alleged cheating.
In theory, City also risks losing titles, but it is unclear whether this is the case in practice.
