MANCHESTER CITY FOUND GUILTY ON 114 PREMIER LEAGUE CHARGES

Manchester City has been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, according to reports. One report said the club was found guilty on 114 charges, while another described the outcome as guilty of almost all of 115 charges brought against it. The ruling raises the possibility that Manchester City could be expelled from the Premier League or handed a significant points deduction, reports said. Bookmakers suspended betting on relegation from the Premier League following news of the verdict, according to reports. The journalist Ian Herbert reported that Manchester City's own response to the verdict was one of shock.

The case follows a legal dispute between Manchester City and the Premier League that Herbert described as having lasted around 15 years. Rio Ferdinand said Manchester City should be stripped of its title following the verdict. The columnist Ian Ladyman wrote that Manchester City would be seen as "cheats" by the rest of football regardless of any appeal the club lodges. Ladyman wrote that the damage to the club's reputation would now be permanent.

Reports said other rival clubs also called for Manchester City to be stripped of the title following the verdict. Other reports raised the question of which clubs might be handed trophies as a result of any sanction against Manchester City. Manchester City is expected to appeal against the verdict, according to reports; the club had not confirmed its response at the time of reporting. The Premier League has not said what sanction, if any, will follow the ruling. Manchester City continues to compete in the Premier League while the disciplinary process continues, according to reports.