Manchester City lodge appeal against Premier League financial breaches verdict

Manchester City have formally appealed against the independent commission verdict that found them guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

City confirmed that they lodged their ‘comprehensive appeal’ at 7.00 pm on Thursday, a day before the Premier League deadline.

“The club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe,” City said.

They added that a ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence’ supports their position and said they would continue to respect the confidential disciplinary process.

The appeal represents the next stage of a case which has become one of the most significant disciplinary matters in English football history.

An independent commission found City guilty of serious financial breaches committed between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.

The commission concluded that City used ‘sham’ commercial arrangements as part of schemes which artificially increased revenue and reduced costs by more than £900 million.

It also found that the club filed misstated accounts and significantly breached Premier League and UEFA spending limits during the relevant period.

City have consistently rejected those conclusions and will now attempt to have them overturned by an independent appeal board.

The appeal will not be an entirely new hearing of the original case. The board will review the commission’s decision and City’s grounds for challenging it.

Premier League rules state that the hearing should take place within 12 weeks of the appeal being filed, while a decision should follow within 30 days of its conclusion.

The appeal board can uphold or dismiss City’s challenge, or vary the commission’s decision or make another appropriate order.

Sanctions have not yet been determined, meaning City’s punishment remains a separate and potentially significant stage of the proceedings.

The Premier League’s rules allow commissions to impose penalties ranging from fines and points deductions to other sporting sanctions.

The Football Association (FA) has also described the findings as having ‘significant implications for the integrity of the game’ and is considering whether further action is appropriate.

City’s appeal means the original verdict is far from the end of a legal battle which began with the Premier League’s investigation in December 2018.