Ferran Soriano Vows Manchester City Appeal Over 115 Premier League Charges
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has told club employees that City will challenge the Premier League commission’s ruling on 115 financial charges, insisting the case rests on an allegation the club says is untrue.
An independent commission found that City had breached Premier League rules across a nine-year period, concluding that commercial agreements with Abu Dhabi-based sponsors had been used to overstate revenue and reduce the club’s reported costs. The findings stated that sponsors were responsible for only part of the agreed fees, with the balance allegedly provided in secret by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, known as ADUG.
The commission’s conclusions put the alleged impact on City’s financial position at more than £900 million and found breaches of spending rules operated by both the Premier League and UEFA. City now have until Friday to lodge a formal appeal against the verdict.
City prepare appeal
In a video message circulated internally, Soriano said the central allegation was that the owner’s money had been covertly channelled into the club through Abu Dhabi sponsors. He rejected that claim, saying it was the foundation for the remaining accusations brought against City.
Soriano told staff that bank records, transfer documentation and witness evidence had been submitted to demonstrate that the disputed funds did not originate with the owner. He maintained that the evidence made clear that such payments could not have happened and did not happen.
The City executive said the club and its legal team were surprised that, after almost two years, the commission had reached a view aligned with the Premier League’s case. He argued that the panel had disregarded extensive material provided by City and had arrived at a conclusion the club considers incorrect.
City intend to argue in their appeal that the commission’s opinion contains significant errors in law, principle and fact, and that the decision is unsafe. Soriano said the club would pursue the independent appeal procedure as well as any other legal options available, adding that City would seek to protect the club and pursue compensation from parties it believes have caused damage.
If the guilty findings remain in place, City could face sanctions including substantial fines, major points deductions or automatic relegation.
Soriano was less forthcoming when approached by a reporter at a public event on Tuesday. Asked whether he wished to apologise to supporters after the ruling, he said he had nothing to add. Further questions about the club’s conduct and whether he had a message for football fans were met with repeated thanks before he left the exchange.
