Manchester City launch appeal against Premier League ruling

Manchester City have launched an appeal against the ruling that found the club guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, saying the club is innocent and has “irrefutable evidence” to prove it.

The 10-time English champions had until Friday to appeal, and announced shortly before midday that they had done so. City confirmed they had lodged a “comprehensive appeal” the night before, ahead of the deadline, Dawn reported, citing AFP.

“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 said.

“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.”

What City were found guilty of

An independent commission found that City arranged “sham” commercial deals as part of a “disguised funding scheme”. Sponsors paid only part of their fees, with the rest funded by the club’s owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the UAE’s vice-president.

The commission said the deals inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018, and that City were “significantly in breach” of Premier League and UEFA spending limits.

No sanction has yet been set. City, top of the table, could face a points deduction, a fine or even expulsion from the Premier League.

City’s likely defence

It has been widely reported that City will argue the key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, not by the club’s owners. State-owned bodies are allowed to sponsor clubs under Premier League rules.

Etihad Airways, City’s main sponsor, said it was considering legal action against the Premier League. “Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements,” a spokesperson said.

“Significant implications”

The Football Association broke its silence, saying the decision “has significant implications for the integrity of the game”. “We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate,” it said.

Downing Street said no one was “above the rules”, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, told the BBC he did not want City’s Emirati owners to walk away.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said the case was the talk of his camp, which includes City players Marc Guehi and Elliott Anderson. “Of course the players talk about it… but of course it’s a big topic,” he said.

What comes next

• Appeal: an appeal panel will hear City’s case
• Sanction: the punishment is still to be decided
• Titles: there is speculation City could be stripped of titles
• Compensation: rival clubs could bring claims for lost places and prize money

Why it matters

This is the biggest case in Premier League history. Whatever the appeal panel decides will shape how English football polices the money flowing into its richest clubs. Read our report on the original guilty verdict.

This article draws on reporting by AFP, via Dawn.