Manchester City have officially confirmed their appeal after an independent commission found the club guilty on 114 out of 115 charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules from the 2009-10 season through to 2017-18. In a formal statement, the club described the commission's ruling as containing 'clear material errors in law, principles, and facts' and asserted its unsustainability.
The appeal will be heard behind closed doors by a new independent commission consisting of three legal experts. Under the regulations, the process may take around 12 weeks, although these timings could be subject to change. In their defence, the club argues that key sponsorship deals were financed by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owners.
Meanwhile, the Football Association (FA) has noted that the verdict has serious implications for the integrity of the game and has pledged to monitor developments closely. Additionally, in light of the independent commission's report, a UK Treasury committee has requested information from HM Revenue and Customs regarding any potential tax liabilities linked to former manager Roberto Mancini's contract.
