Operators Slash Odds on Manchester City Being Relegated for Breaches

Bookmakers have significantly cut the odds on Manchester City being relegated, after reports stated the club have been found guilty of 114 breaches of the English Premier League’s financial regulations.

Speculation about City’s potential punishment for the breaches has been rife since news of the guilty verdict was reported by The Athletic on Friday. City were initially charged in February 2023, and a hearing on the case was concluded by an independent commission in December 2024.

City, which denies the charges, has reportedly been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges. The club is expected to appeal against the verdict.

The charges relate to seasons between 2009/10 and 2022/23, during which time City won many major trophies, including seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups and the UEFA Champions League. The most serious of the alleged breaches is false accounting, which includes providing inaccurate reporting of revenue such as sponsorship income.

Odds on relegation tumble

While it is unclear what exact punishment City can expect to receive, there has been a clear shift in the odds for the club to be relegated. At the time of writing, Bet365 is offering odds of 5/2 on City being relegated, making the club fifth favourites to go down to the Championship after Coventry City, Hull City, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

The same price of 5/2 is also being offered by Betfred. Meanwhile, Betano is offering odds on a City relegation of 11/4. However, it will be important for operators to decipher between a demotion and a relegation, as this could impact whether an operator will pay out based on its terms and conditions. City’s appeal also means the final outcome of the case may not be decided this season.

“A long way to run”

The verdict is yet to be officially confirmed, but in a letter posted on City’s website, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak wrote:

“The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.

“While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity.”

In a separate statement, Manchester City said:

“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.  As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Remarkable success

While City had previously won major honours, such as the Football League title in 1937 and 1968, the club has been particularly successful since being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, backed by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

After delivering Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014, the club went on to build one of English football’s most successful teams under the management of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola oversaw six Premier League title wins out of seven between 2017/18 and 2023/24, as well as a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 2022/23.