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Why Arsenal will miss out on Premier League titles if Manchester City are stripped of them
26th September, 2026 06:32 AM
Manchester City’s ongoing financial case could have major consequences for the Premier League’s history if the club is ultimately stripped of titles won during the period covered by the allegations.
City have been facing 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The hearing into the allegations concluded in December 2024 after a 12-week tribunal. However, the independent commission had yet to publicly release its findings by September 2026.
Reports published in September 2026 claimed City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges, although the Premier League’s disciplinary process remains ongoing. No final punishment has been announced, and the club is expected to appeal any sanctions imposed.
Possible penalties have ranged from a significant points deduction to the removal of titles won during the period under investigation.
The financial allegations cover the period between 2009 and 2018. That means only three of City’s Premier League championships fall within the period being examined.
If those titles were eventually removed, the clubs that finished immediately behind City in those particular seasons could potentially become the beneficiaries.
Interestingly, Arsenal would not receive any of those championships despite finishing runners-up to City in several more recent title races.
Manchester United – 2011/12
The 2011/12 Premier League campaign remains one of the most dramatic title races in English football history.
Manchester City appeared to have surrendered the championship after falling behind Queens Park Rangers on the final day, allowing Manchester United to believe they had retained the title.
However, Sergio Aguero scored in stoppage time to complete City’s remarkable comeback and secure the championship.
United finished second, meaning Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could potentially be recognised as champions if City’s title from that season were retrospectively removed.
Such an outcome would give United another league crown more than a decade after Aguero’s famous strike denied them the trophy.
Liverpool – 2013/14
Liverpool came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League in 2013/14 under Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds were five points clear at the top before a defeat to Chelsea at Anfield changed the momentum of the title race.
Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip contributed to the defeat, before Liverpool suffered another major setback when they surrendered a 3-0 advantage against Crystal Palace to draw 3-3.
Those dropped points allowed City to move above Liverpool and eventually claim the title by two points.
Liverpool finished second and would therefore be in line for the 2013/14 championship if City were stripped of the honour.
For Gerrard, such a development would dramatically alter the story of his Liverpool career, as the former captain retired without winning the Premier League.
Manchester United – 2017/18
City’s third title during the period covered by the alleged financial breaches came in 2017/18.
Pep Guardiola’s team produced a record-breaking campaign, collecting 100 points to finish comfortably ahead of Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho’s United side ended the season in second place with 81 points.
Should City’s 2017/18 title be removed, United could therefore be awarded the championship retrospectively.
That would also have a significant impact on the historical Premier League title standings. United currently have 20 league titles, level with Liverpool. An additional two championships from the City sanctions would take United to 22, while Liverpool could move to 21.
City’s subsequent Premier League triumphs in 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 occurred after the 2009-2018 period covered by the allegations. Those titles would therefore not be directly affected by the charges described in the case.
Any changes to the official records, however, would depend entirely on the final outcome of the Premier League’s disciplinary process and any subsequent appeals.
