Man City release statement confirming appeal against Premier League guilty verdict

Manchester City have formally appealed against the independent commission's findings in the Premier League's financial case, confirming they lodged their challenge at 7pm on Thursday. The club says the commission's opinion contains 'clear material errors' of law, principle and fact and is 'unsafe'.

City maintain they are innocent of the Premier League's accusations. The appeal marks the next stage in a case that has cast a shadow over the eight-time champions.

An independent commission found City guilty of serious financial rule breaches across nine seasons, but no sanction has yet been announced. Stories Videos Your Say City 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 have formally appealed against the independent commission's findings in the Premier League's financial case, confirming they lodged their challenge at 7pm on Thursday City's appeal comes after the commission ruled on allegations covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. It found the club had breached financial rules, including through sponsorship arrangements it described as part of a "disguised funding scheme".

The findings included that City recorded close to £950million in sponsorship revenue from Abu Dhabi-based companies, while around £830m of the funding had come from Abu Dhabi United Group, the club's ownership group. LATEST SPORTS NEWS: Jose Mourinho forced to shut down 'fake news' about Cristiano Ronaldo amid Portugal row Anthony Joshua sets record straight on Black Lives Matter speech ahead of seismic Tyson Fury fight Craig Bellamy hits back at abuse and reveals toll on his family after Wales end winless run Manchester City were found guilty by an independent commission following a 42-day hearing which produced 7,000 pages of witness evidence after an eight-year-long investigation |PA The commission concluded that the arrangements artificially inflated revenue and helped City appear compliant with financial limits.

City are expected to argue that the disputed sponsorship funding came from the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owner. The commission rejected the club's account, but City say they have evidence to support their case.

Their appeal will be considered by a separate Appeal Board under Premier League rules. Man City chiefs Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano have insisted the club are innocent The rules provide for a hearing within 12 weeks of an appeal being lodged, although the eventual timetable and outcome remain uncertain.

The question of any punishment is being handled separately.