What to know about the Man City scandal and charges against the Premier League soccer team

It's a years-long controversy that has gripped English soccer and beyond: Did Manchester City's ownership engage in large-scale rule-breaking in an effort to transform the team into a global superpower and serial title winner?

The answer, the Premier League says, is yes.

In a stunning verdict announced Tuesday, the Premier League published a statement confirming City was guilty of almost all of the 115 charges leveled against the Abu Dhabi-controlled club for alleged breaches of financial rules in the world's most popular league for much of the last two decades.

"This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history," said Richard Masters, the league's chief executive.

There are likely to be seismic ramifications when sanctions are eventually handed out to City, with a whole range of punishments on the table — including expulsion from the Premier League.

And what will happen to City's squad of superstars that includes Norway striker Erling Haaland and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, signed this month for $169 million?

In February 2023, the Premier League went to battle against its own champion team in unprecedented fashion, releasing a long statement detailing a list of 80 alleged breaches of its financial rules by City from 2009-18, the first nine seasons under Abu Dhabi ownership as the club tried to escape the shadow of great rival Manchester United.

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