RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
Manchester City have confirmed plans to appeal after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules involving arrangements that increased reported revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million.
The commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches covering nine seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18, as well as three of four alleged breaches concerning the club’s cooperation with the Premier League investigation.
According to the findings, Manchester City used commercial arrangements that the commission concluded allowed the club to report substantially higher revenue than it otherwise would have received.
The commission found that a funding arrangement involving the club’s ownership and commercial partners increased reported revenues by about £830 million during the period under examination.
Other arrangements were found to have reduced or concealed costs, taking the overall financial effect of the schemes to more than £900 million.
The commission concluded that City’s financial statements did not accurately reflect the club’s financial position and that, had the relevant transactions been properly reported, the club would have significantly exceeded Premier League and UEFA spending limits.
Manchester City have rejected the findings and maintained that they are innocent of the allegations.
The club said it would pursue available appeal procedures, arguing that the commission’s decision contained what it described as material errors of law, principle and fact.
City chief executive Ferran Soriano has also rejected the findings while defending the club’s conduct throughout the lengthy investigation.
The Premier League began investigating Manchester City in December 2018 before formally referring the case to an independent commission in February 2023.
A 42-day hearing subsequently concluded in December 2024 before the commission delivered its findings.
The case is not yet concluded.
Manchester City have until Friday, October 2, to formally exercise their right of appeal.
A separate hearing will determine what sanctions should follow the commission’s findings. No punishment has yet been imposed.
The Premier League has said the sanction proceedings will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.
The appeal means the findings could still be reviewed before the disciplinary process reaches its conclusion.
