Manchester City vow to challenge Premier League ruling over 115 charges

Manchester City have rejected the Premier League’s findings against them and said they possess “compelling and comprehensive evidence” to support their position as they prepare to appeal.

The club issued a statement after the Premier League announced that Manchester City had been found guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of its financial rules over nine seasons, as well as most of the allegations that the club failed to co-operate with the league’s investigation between 2009 and 2018.

The Premier League said Manchester City had entered into fictitious contracts with several commercial partners, submitted misleading accounts, concealed its financial position and breached spending limits set by the league and UEFA.

Manchester City said: “Manchester City Football Club is disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission published today.”

The club added: “The club confirms its innocence of the charges brought against it by the Premier League, and possesses compelling and comprehensive evidence supporting all of its positions in this matter. Manchester City will therefore continue its tireless fight and will take proactive steps where necessary in all regulatory and legal bodies with jurisdiction.”

The case remains subject to an appeal process. Manchester City have until Friday 2 October to exercise their right to appeal the independent commission’s findings, while the Premier League board intends to complete the entire process as quickly as possible.

The club said: “The Premier League proceedings remain ongoing, with important elements yet to be completed. Manchester City will now appeal through all avenues available to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsound.”

The statement continued: “The club has seriously respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would act as an independent, impartial and fair regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Manchester City said it was restricted in what it could say publicly until the remaining proceedings had concluded.

Charges and possible sanctions

The 115 charges brought against Manchester City by the English FA comprise 54 allegations of providing inaccurate financial information, 35 relating to an alleged failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations, 14 concerning the disclosure of player and coaching staff remuneration, seven alleged breaches of profit and sustainability rules, and five breaches of UEFA regulations.

Possible sanctions under Premier League regulations range from a financial penalty and points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.

Any points deduction could be applied retrospectively, potentially creating the possibility of Manchester City being stripped of some of their previous titles.

Manchester City are preparing to appeal the decision in the coming days. The club has denied all the allegations, including those concerning inaccurate financial information, payments to players and coaches, financial fair play, and profit and sustainability rules, and has maintained its confidence in its legal position.