Manchester City have confirmed that they have lodged an appeal against an independent commission’s findings that they breached financial rules.
It was earlier this week that the bombshell news broke that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League rules between the 2009-10 and 2018-19 season, including arranging “sham contracts” with a number of its commercial partners. The PL says City “systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade”.
City had a deadline of today (Friday, October 2) to lodge an appeal and they have duly done so, confirming in a statement.
Published on their website, it said: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter.
“The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
“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.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
The statement from City incorrectly refers to a Premier League commission, when it was in fact an independent commission that came to the guilty conclusion.
This is just the latest instalment in a long-running saga – one that is unlikely to be concluded any time soon.
Earlier on Friday the Football Association put out a brief statement on the issue, saying: “The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game. We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate.
“As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely.”
