Manchester City are unlikely to be stripped of their Premier League titles, according to sources cited by journalist Miguel Delaney in The Independent — but the club's legal troubles may be far from over, with English football executives reportedly pushing for a fresh round of financial charges.

The original verdict

In September, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules across the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the ruling as "the most significant in Premier League history."

The charges centre on allegations that City inflated sponsorship figures by close to £1 billion over a nine-year period — a spell in which the club won three Premier League titles, in 2012, 2014, and 2018. City have since lodged an appeal and are awaiting the outcome.

A second investigation on the horizon?

The original inquiry was triggered after a tranche of internal emails was published by Der Spiegel in November 2018. Now, sources cited by Delaney are asking what, if anything, changed in the club's commercial conduct after that date — raising questions about whether rule-breaking continued beyond 2018.

Some executives believe that commercial deals struck after 2018 were already assessed at fair market value and subject to associated party rules, shielding City from further scrutiny. That view, however, has been met with scepticism in light of the guilty verdict.

Delaney's reporting also suggests a more tactical dimension: a potential second investigation could serve as a "negotiation tactic" on the Premier League's part, granting City a concession in exchange for a resolution on the existing charges. As one source put it, "when you're seeking to agree on a potentially severe punishment, the Premier League can be shown to have given them a concession and spare them further."

What comes next?

Manchester City continue to maintain their innocence. Reports indicate that if the guilty verdict is upheld after their appeal, the club may take the matter to the High Court — a step that would extend the saga well beyond the current season.

On the pitch, City travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend as Premier League action continues.