Man City appeal process: 114 shocking guilty findings

Dustin Judge
Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Man City, whose appeal process is now under way

The Man City appeal process began Thursday, Oct. 1, when the club filed its challenge to the Premier League’s guilty verdict at 7 p.m., a day before the league’s Friday deadline, according to Yahoo Sports. City argues the independent commission’s ruling contains “clear material errors of law, principle and fact” and “is unsafe.”

The commission ruled Tuesday, Sept. 29 that City was guilty of 114 of the 115 charges, according to Yahoo Sports. The charges cover financial breaches from the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons and a failure to cooperate with the league’s investigation between 2018 and 2023. The panel found City used “sham” commercial deals and misstated its accounts to inflate revenue by more than £900 million ($1.19 billion), according to The Associated Press. Our earlier report on the verdict has the full findings.

How the Man City appeal process works

A new three-person commission, selected by Murray Rosen KC, chair of the league’s judicial panel, will hear the appeal. Its decision will be final, so the Man City appeal process ends with that panel. Unlike in City’s 2020 case with UEFA, the club cannot take this matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to Sky Sports. No hearing date for the Man City appeal process has been announced.

What City is arguing

In the Man City appeal process, City says “a body of irrefutable evidence” supports its position on every charge, and it has denied wrongdoing since the league brought the case in 2023, according to Yahoo Sports. The club said it was “disappointed and surprised” by the verdict and vowed to be “relentless” in clearing its name, according to the AP.

Former City manager Roberto Mancini, who acknowledged a “double contract” during his time at the club, said before Italy’s Nations League match against Turkey that “Manchester City is not guilty,” according to Football365.

What happens to sanctions

No punishment has been set. A separate hearing will determine sanctions, and any penalty is delayed until the appeal ends, according to Yahoo Sports. The AP reported the penalties could include a significant points deduction or even expulsion from the league. Read more on what Manchester City sanctions could look like.

Others weigh in

The Football Association said the verdict has “significant implications for the integrity of the game” and that it is “carefully considering the decision and its implications,” according to ESPN. Sponsor Etihad Airways is also weighing its options, as detailed in our report on Etihad Airways considering legal action. Potential Man City compensation claims from players and rival clubs add another layer to the case.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.