Manchester City has officially filed an appeal against the verdict from an independent commission that determined the club guilty of multiple serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
On Friday, the Premier League champions announced that their detailed appeal was submitted at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, just before the deadline for challenging the ruling.
The Premier League had charged City with over 100 alleged violations in February 2023, which pertain to the period from the 2009/10 season through to 2017/18.
The independent commission concluded that Manchester City was guilty of all charges linked to substantial financial breaches, including the finding that the club had created what it termed “sham” contracts with various commercial partners, part of a “disguised funding scheme.”
The investigation found that these arrangements artificially boosted Manchester City’s reported revenues by around £830 million.
Despite these findings, City firmly contests the results and asserts its innocence regarding the allegations made by the Premier League.
In a statement issued on Friday, the club characterized the commission’s ruling as an “opinion,” claiming it was rife with significant errors.
Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the club lodged its comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter
the club stated.
The club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is 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, relating to this case.
We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.
The club referred to the body that issued the ruling as a Premier League Commission, even though the verdict was rendered by an independent commission formed under the Premier League’s disciplinary procedures.
As a Premier League member, Manchester City has agreed to adhere to its regulations, including those governing disciplinary matters.
This appeal signifies an important phase in one of the most notable disciplinary cases in the Premier League to date.
The final outcome could have significant consequences for Manchester City, although no definitive results can be established while the appeal process is pending.
City maintains that the independent commission’s verdict includes substantial errors and asserts that evidence substantiates their defense.
The club will now proceed through the appeal process, continuing to declare its compliance with applicable financial regulations.
