Manchester City appeal Premier League ruling over £900m financial breaches

Manchester City have appealed against a ruling that found them guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, in a move that could prevent or reduce potentially significant sanctions against the club.

The Premier League said on Tuesday that City had used “sham” commercial contracts in schemes which allegedly overstated revenue and understated costs by more than £900m (about R19.73bn) over almost 10 years.

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of every charge relating to the league’s financial rules covering nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The club was also found guilty of three of four charges relating to its alleged failure to co-operate with the investigation.

City have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

“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 said in a statement.

“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.”

The appeal will be considered by an independent three-member board appointed by the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel.

“The club lodged the appeal to the chair of the judicial panel,” the Premier League said. “The independent appeal board hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.”

Under the league’s regulations, the appeal hearing should take place within 12 weeks of the appeal being submitted. A decision is then due within 30 days of the hearing ending.

As with the original proceedings, the appeal will be conducted in private. The board will examine the commission’s ruling rather than rehear the entire case.

It can dismiss the appeal, uphold it, send the case back to the commission for further consideration, or change any sanction or compensation order imposed.

The appeal board’s decision will be final, except in limited circumstances that allow a further arbitration process.

Possible punishments discussed in relation to the case include substantial fines, points deductions and other sporting sanctions. Relegation or the removal of titles have also been raised as potential consequences, meaning the outcome could affect the wider league.

Manchester City would retain the right to appeal separately against any sanctions imposed.

It is not yet known whether sanctions would be announced before the appeal hearing, or whether any punishment would come into effect immediately. A Premier League representative told Reuters that the process could not be discussed because of confidentiality requirements.

The case remains unresolved while the season continues. League leaders Manchester City are due to visit Liverpool on October 11, when they will be seeking a sixth consecutive league victory.