Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial charges brought against them. An independent commission ruled that the club used “sham” sponsorship deals and disguised funding that saved them hundreds of millions of pounds over several years.

The club have already said they are “disappointed and surprised” and will launch a full appeal. Sanctions have not yet been announced. Possible punishments range from a large fine and points deduction to more severe measures. Former player Roy Keane even suggested City players should “bin” their medals if the verdict stands.

The case has hung over the Premier League for years. Whatever the final outcome after appeals, the verdict has already damaged trust in the competition and raised questions about how titles from the last decade should be viewed. City remain top of the table after five games, but the off-field noise is now louder than anything happening on the pitch.