Major League Soccer will not investigate New York City FC over the financial rule breaches committed by its sister club Manchester City. MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed the decision at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit on Wednesday.
Garber praised City Football Group, the shared ownership entity, for its commitment to the league's growth. He stated that MLS focuses on its own regulations.
"We’re fortunate we have owners in our league that own multiple teams throughout every league," Garber said. He added, "MLS is looking at how owners act in accordance with our rules here in Major League Soccer."
Premier League finds Manchester City guilty of 114 charges
An independent Premier League commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 financial rule breaches on September 29, 2026. The charges relate to a period between 2009 and 2018.
The commission determined the club used sham contracts and a disguised funding scheme from its Abu Dhabi ownership. This inflated commercial revenues and reduced operational costs by around £900 million over nine seasons. During that time, Manchester City earned £1.17 billion in prize money and broadcasting distributions.
The proven charges include 54 counts of submitting inaccurate financial information and 14 counts of concealing true payments to managers and players. The club also faced multiple charges for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Impact on English clubs and ongoing appeals
The financial breaches caused an estimated £844 million in losses across 35 other English clubs, according to a separate analysis. Tottenham Hotspur missed out on an estimated £119.9 million, while Everton and Liverpool lost a combined £118.7 million. Nearly £350 million of the total impact is linked to relegation costs.
Birmingham City suffered a £25.1 million loss during the 2010/11 season after being relegated. The club has not returned to the Premier League since. The analysis suggests Manchester City's presence in the top flight, sustained by the breaches, contributed to that outcome.
Manchester City lodged an appeal against the commission's verdict on October 1, 2026. The club described the ruling as 'unsafe' and heavily flawed in a public statement. A separate independent panel will now deliberate over sanctions, which could range from unlimited fines and retrospective points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League. A final resolution is not expected until the appeals process concludes, potentially stretching into late 2026 or early 2027.
Background and full detail: Sports Illustrated
