Ever since the Premier League announced on Tuesday that the independent commission found Manchester City guilty on almost all of the charges brought against them for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules, it was expected that City would appeal the commission’s verdict. That announcement has arrived. Manchester City have announced that they will appeal the Premier League Commission’s decision. Today’s news comes as no surprise, but it is clear that City have no intention of backing down in the fight to clear their name.
Manchester City have lodged their appeal against the Premier League Commission’s ‘opinion’.
In a statement on mancity.com, Manchester City confirmed that they lodged their appeal against the Premier League Commission’s ‘opinion’ at 7pm last night. Manchester City’s statement said: “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’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.”
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
Manchester City lodge appeal.
🔗 https://t.co/VlzYJUcoMs pic.twitter.com/lCKmsXZbem
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 2, 2026
The Premier League hage confirmed Manchester City’s appeal but one line in their statement does come across as amusing.
In a statement on the Premier League’s official website, it has been confirmed that Manchester City has appealed the decision of the independent commission’s findings. The Premier League’s statement said: “Manchester City FC has appealed the decision of an independent Commission regarding breaches of Premier League rules.”
“The club lodged the appeal to the Chair of the Judicial Panel.”
“The independent Appeal Board hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.”
Manchester City remain strong in their position and have not wavered. They continue to maintain their innocence. This stance has not changed throughout this drawn-out saga. City have also stated where they believe the Premier League Commission has made material errors of law, fact, principle and is unsafe. Manchester City’s stance is no surprise. They have dug in for the fight. City will not back down until they have cleared their name.
The Premier League has confirmed Manchester City’s appeal. Their statement confirms this. However, there is a sense of irony in the Premier League’s statement. They have stated that the appeal hearing will remain confidential. That is until publication of the outcome of the hearing is permitted. Hopefully, this occurs. As it didn’t when the independent commission’s findings were leaked prematurely. So you do wonder if this will hold. It simply has to. There is no other alternative. Irrespective of the public interest in the story.
Considering Etihad Airways were heavily criticised in the final report, I find it amazing they were not involved in any way, and were not questioned over the last 8 years. Surely this is a significant omission by the PL.
Hopefully this will be addressed on open court.
The problem still is: and that is, is this so called “independent” panel actually is just THAT being how it was selected by the same person that picked the initial one.
It seems obvious, even though none of us know where they got their findings from.
The Club used the term “opinions” which is suspect as their verdict in real law must be made on “FACTS and PROOF” which I suspect it has not. It appears the attitude has always been “we know what you were up to” rather than “prove it”.
This has been a very complex “fraud” case, and I am not naive enough to believe that City have been engaged in some shady dealing but there is a massive difference between “Creative Accountancy” and “Criminality”. It should have been dealt with in a truly independent Court of Law in front of a Judge who draws his/her conclusions based on proof in the law of the land, not just by a private court set up by the accuser.
Until that happens I am not sure this appeal will succeed and the manner the original findings were made are tested in a Judicial Review in the High Court which will find the whole thing was unsafe.
If they want a swift way out then the appeal will overturn the original on the grounds of “NOT PROVEN” but on the grounds of probability there was some suspect dealings by City ! The non cooperation bits can stand and accept a fine. Both sides can walk away with some face saved.
BUT I am not the Mediator so FAT CHANCE!
I think that City or Etihad (or both) need to take this to the High Court, instead of this so-called ‘independent panel’ held in secret.
Meanwhile Unai Emery is saying that many clubs inflate financial figures.
What with 15 clubs having no interest loans, and Utd failing PSR for 4 years between 2020 and 2025 by quite significant amounts. (-£239.9M, £236.4M, £257.4M, and -£174.9M). These figures taken from Utd’s accounts on line. The PL does not seem to take any notice of these.
Unless there is some climbdown and compromise (beware low flying pig) that is where it will go, not to try the case, but to determine whether the original panel used proper procedural findings ie did they apply factual proof as opposed to laws of probability and whether they were impartial ( leaked findings and incendiary language goes against them). This is a Judicial Review and the High Court probably would find its verdict unsafe.
Don’t forget when we challenged the PL on the 3rd Part PSR rules (3rd Party loans) We won. The PL are afraid of taking us on in the real Courts of Law which is why they will not let Us use CAS.
There is a feature on Al Jazeera about Pinto, the hacker and blackmailer who started this.
Following the PL “verdict” he has had his witness protection and housing withdrawn by the Portuguese government and has gone into hiding fearing for his life. He got a suspended sentence originally in exchange for turning over all his “hacks” allegedly not just about City BUT other PL Clubs!!!. There are also cases against foreign countries and African dictators so I imagine there are many “contracts” out on him. One can have little sympathy as these “hacks” were not made with sincere intentions but to extort money! In effect the PL, indirectly, are supporting criminality!
This is now spinning out of control. According to the Telegraph, the UAE are threatening to withdraw billions of GBP out of the UK. Presumably UAE means Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai as well.
Yes John correct and I did forecast this would happen some days ago (James Cleverley dropped the hint 3 years ago when he was Foreign Sec.)
This is all about football “integrity”. Try telling that to the many who could lose their jobs because of football rules and rivalry which are NOT illegal under the Laws of our Land
I know I am going off the subject but to attempt to answer your question it would be best if you looked up UAE on wikipidia or other sources but briefly the UAE is made up of 7 Sheikhdoms (or Emirates) of which ABU DHABI and DUBAI are largest and best known.
Qatar like Bahrain are separate and independent .It is fairly complex so for this whole case to be referring to them as “Countries” is not quite as simple as the Planet Football is thinking.
One thing IS certain though is the £30billion spent here each year and the investment the UK hopes to attract for the Oxford/Cambridge Silicon Valley Project which is probably why the City Chairman, who is also CEO of an Investment Fund met with the Business Secretary at No10 2 weeks ago. As You say this could spiral out of control
Adam I can reveal an exclusive.
The three “experts” can be revealed exclusively on this web site alone.
I give you.
The three Premier League panel stooges.
Hear all evil.
See all evil
Speak all evil
Kerching!