Manchester City appeals Premier League financial ruling
Manchester City has appealed an independent commission’s finding that it breached Premier League financial rules over nine seasons. The club denies wrongdoing and says the ruling contains material errors, while the league says an independent three-member board will hear the appeal privately under a process with a final outcome.
Manchester City has appealed an independent commission’s finding that it breached the Premier League’s financial rules, extending a dispute that followed a years-long investigation. The Premier League said the commission found City guilty of charges covering nine seasons from 2009-10 to 2017-18. It also found the club guilty of three of four charges relating to a failure to cooperate with the investigation.
According to the league, City used “sham” commercial contracts in schemes that inflated revenue and understated costs by more than £900 million over almost a decade. The club has denied wrongdoing throughout the case. City said it lodged a comprehensive appeal on Thursday evening.
In a statement, the club argued that the commission’s opinion contained material errors of law, principle and fact and was therefore unsafe. It said it remained innocent and that substantial evidence supported its position. The appeal will be heard by an independent three-member board appointed by the chair of the league’s Judicial Panel.
The Premier League said the hearing would be private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted. League rules state that an appeal hearing should take place within 12 weeks of being lodged, with a decision due within 30 days of the hearing concluding. The board will review the commission’s decision rather than conduct a full rehearing.
It may dismiss the appeal, allow it, refer the case back to the commission or change any sanction or compensation order. Its decision will be final except in limited circumstances allowing a further arbitration process. Possible consequences discussed in the case include fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties, as well as relegation or the removal of titles.
City may separately appeal any sanctions. The league season will continue while the dispute remains unresolved.
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