Manchester City have achieved club-record revenue over the past 12 months with their brand once again valued more than local rivals Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s derby, live on Sky Sports.
Earlier this week the hearing into City’s alleged breaches of over 100 financial rules concluded in London, with a result expected in the spring. City deny all of those charges.
Their annual report, released on Friday morning, gave a snapshot of their current financial situation – with the club’s revenue figure up by £2.2m to £715m.
City also posted profits of £73.8m – their second highest-ever figure for profit, down £6.6m on the previous 12 months when they won the treble and received extra prize money and broadcast revenue as a result of their achievements on the pitch. City turned over £139m in profit from player sales.
City remain the Premier League’s most valuable football club brand, as well, once again seeing off United into second place, with the Brand Finance Football 50 Report putting City’s worth at £1.33bn and United’s at £1.16bn.
These positive figures for City are in contrast to the financial situation at United right now, ahead of their meeting at the Etihad this weekend.
United made a £113m loss last year and haven’t posted an annual profit since 2019.
There have been wide-ranging redundancies at United, with staff Christmas bonuses reduced and ticket prices for fans increased.
Man City: The most watched club in the world?
Also within the annual report, City claim to be the most-watched football team in the world.
They put this down to a combination of 10.1bn video views across their social media platforms, 1.5bn engagements on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X, and 694m global viewers of matches on television involving Manchester City (including live, delayed broadcasts and highlights).
Man City’s charges: What’s the latest?
The Premier League vs Manchester City financial charges hearing has now finished.
It was held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre near St Paul’s in London and started on September 16, before finishing 12 weeks later, last Friday, on December 6.
A decision is expected in the spring, most likely around March.
Both sides have the right of appeal, which would take several months.
In February 2023, the Premier League charged City with breaking more than 100 of its financial rules.
The alleged breaches cover the period between 2009 and 2018.
City deny all the charges, which include:
- Failing to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons
- Failing to provide full details of players’ wages for six seasons
- Failing to provide full details of Roberto Mancini’s wages for four seasons
- Not co-operating with the Premier League’s four-year investigation
- Failing to comply with UEFA’s FFP rules for five seasons
City had a two-year UEFA ban overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in July 2020 and, in 2014, the club was fined £49m for breaking UEFA’s FFP rules, of which £32m was suspended.
What could happen to City if they are found guilty?
According to Premier League rules, any punishment could be a points deduction or even the threat of expulsion from the Premier League – although this would be an extreme punishment.
Watch Man City vs Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
