Manchester City Reject Financial Charges Verdict, Vow to Appeal

Manchester City have rejected the findings of the Premier League commission after the club was found guilty of serious financial-rule breaches, insisting that it remains innocent and will pursue every available avenue to overturn the decision.

In a statement issued following the publication of the commission’s findings on Tuesday, Manchester City said it was “disappointed and surprised” by the decision.

The club maintained that there is a substantial body of evidence supporting its position and said it would continue its fight through the appropriate regulatory and legal channels.

“Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today,” the club said.

“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.”

City said it would be “relentless” and, where necessary, proactive in defending itself in the relevant regulatory and legal forums.

City to appeal

The club confirmed that it will pursue the appeal avenues available to it, arguing that the commission’s opinion contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and is therefore unsafe.

City also criticised the length and handling of the Premier League process, saying it had diligently respected due process for eight years on the expectation that the Premier League Board and Executive would act as an “independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator.”

The club said it was restricted in what it could say publicly while further proceedings remain outstanding.

Premier League ruling

The independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches over the nine-season period from 2009/10 to 2017/18, as well as the majority of charges concerning the club’s cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation.

The commission found that City had used commercial arrangements that misrepresented the true agreements between the parties and concluded that schemes had artificially inflated the club’s revenues and reduced its costs by more than £900 million during the period in question.

However, the case is not yet completely finished.

The question of sanctions will be dealt with separately, while Manchester City’s planned appeal could further extend the process.

For now, the club’s position remains unequivocal: it rejects the findings, maintains its innocence and intends to fight the decision.