Manchester City Set to Appeal Financial Rules Verdict as Downing Street Responds
Manchester City’s financial rules case is moving into its next phase, with the club expected to appeal an independent commission’s guilty verdict before Friday’s deadline and a separate hearing still required to determine any sanction. Downing Street has underlined the seriousness of the decision, while HMRC has been asked to consider whether the findings raise tax issues.
Andy Burnham said on Wednesday that he would be concerned if City’s Abu Dhabi ownership were to sell the club following the verdict. He described the owners as a major contributor to the development of modern Manchester, but his comments prompted criticism given the unresolved disciplinary process.
Burnham also referenced Everton’s previous case under Premier League financial regulations, arguing that his own club had not been treated fairly. Recalling the reaction to Everton’s punishment, he said people had too quickly assumed guilt and that, with the benefit of hindsight, many would now question the way that case was handled. He said that experience meant he should not prematurely take a position on City’s case.
Those remarks drew a response from shadow sports minister Louie French, who said politics should be kept out of football. City’s case remains with the sport’s independent processes, first through an appeal board if the club proceeds as expected and then through the sanctions stage.
Government stresses independent process
A Downing Street spokesperson said the initial ruling against City was significant and insisted that no individual or club could be treated as being beyond the rules. The spokesperson added that the matter must be allowed to proceed independently, with any final outcome respected, and said appropriate consequences should follow if wrongdoing is ultimately established.
City have maintained that the commission’s ruling is unsafe. The club believes the decision includes material errors involving law, principle and fact, and is expected to submit its appeal before the Friday cut-off.
Parliamentary scrutiny has also begun over the potential tax implications of the findings. Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, has written to HMRC permanent secretary JP Marks seeking clarification on whether the tax authority is aware of the commission’s conclusions.
Her letter specifically referred to findings concerning alleged “sham” arrangements said to have concealed liabilities owed to staff. Hillier also asked whether HMRC had sought a full, unredacted version of the commission decision published on Tuesday.
While recognising that taxpayer confidentiality could limit any public response, Hillier asked HMRC to confirm that it understood both the importance of the issues raised and the wider public interest in the case.
