Manchester City have formally appealed the independent commission’s findings in the Premier League’s long-running financial case, challenging a verdict that found the club guilty of serious breaches covering nine seasons.
The club confirmed that its “comprehensive Appeal” was submitted at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, one day before the deadline set for challenging the decision.
City strongly rejected the commission’s conclusions, arguing that the ruling contains “clear material errors of law, principle and fact” and is therefore 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,” City said in a statement.
The appeal follows the Premier League’s September 29 announcement that an independent commission had found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. The commission also upheld three of four charges concerning the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.
The Premier League said the commission found that City had used “sham” contracts, submitted misstated accounts and breached spending regulations.
No sporting sanction has yet been imposed. The Premier League says the question of sanctions will be considered separately by the independent commission.
