Man City appeal Premier League financial ruling

MANCHESTER, England, Oct 2 : Manchester City have filed an appeal against an independent commission ruling that found the club guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, seeking to overturn the verdict and avoid potentially severe sanctions.

The league said on Tuesday that ​City had used "sham" commercial contracts as part of schemes to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than £900 million ($1.19 billion) over nearly a decade.

City were found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the league's financial rules over nine seasons from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as three out of four charges concerning failures to cooperate with the investigation.

The club has denied wrongdoing throughout the process.

"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 heard by an independent three-member Appeal Board appointed by the Chair of the league’s Judicial Panel.

"The club lodged the appeal to the Chair of the Judicial Panel," the league said in a statement. "The independent Appeal Board hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted."

The Premier League's rules state that an appeal hearing should be held