Manchester City reject Premier League ruling and announce appeal

Manchester City have expressed their "disappointment and surprise" at an independent Premier League commission's ruling, insisting they remain innocent of the allegations against them and will continue with legal and regulatory action to defend their position. The Premier League officially confirmed on Tuesday that Manchester City had been found guilty of serious financial breaches following an investigation lasting several years.

Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, described both the case and the ruling as "the most important in the history of the Premier League". In a statement issued minutes after the league's announcement, Manchester City said: "The club is disappointed and surprised by the decision of the Premier League commission, which was published today.

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It added: "The club is innocent of the charges brought against it by the Premier League, and there is a comprehensive body of incontrovertible evidence supporting all of the club's positions in relation to this matter." Manchester City said it would continue to defend its position "resolutely" and would take action where necessary before the relevant regulatory and legal authorities. "Accordingly, Manchester City will continue to defend its position without compromise and will, when necessary, take the appropriate action before all relevant regulatory and legal bodies," the club said.

The club also stressed that the case had not yet reached its conclusion, saying that Premier League proceedings were still continuing and that significant elements remained unresolved. "Premier League proceedings are still ongoing, and there are important matters that have not yet been determined," the statement said.

"The club will now begin to make use of the appeal avenues available to it, on the basis that the decision contains clear and fundamental errors of law, principle and fact, and that it is unsound."

Manchester City said it had complied with the legal process throughout the past eight years, believing that the Premier League's management and executive leadership would act as an independent, impartial and fair regulatory body, free from any biased influence.

The club concluded: "It is clear that the club is more constrained in what it can say until all the proceedings that follow have been completed."

The Premier League's confirmation of the ruling marks a major development in the long-running case, which has been described by Masters as the most significant in the competition's history.

Manchester City's statement makes clear that the club intends to challenge the decision through the available appeal and legal procedures.