Manchester City have formally lodged their appeal against an independent commission’s verdict that found the club guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
The Premier League champions confirmed on Friday that they submitted their comprehensive appeal at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, before the deadline set for the club to challenge the verdict.
City were charged by the Premier League with more than 100 alleged breaches in February 2023, relating to a period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches. Among its findings was that the club had arranged what it described as “sham” contracts with a number of commercial partners as part of a “disguised funding scheme”.
The commission concluded that the arrangements artificially inflated Manchester City’s reported revenues by approximately £830m.
However, City have strongly rejected the findings and continue to maintain that they are innocent of the accusations brought against them by the Premier League.
In a statement released on Friday, the club described the commission’s judgement as an “opinion” and argued that it contained 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 said.
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’s statement referred to the body that delivered the verdict as a Premier League Commission, although the verdict was issued by an independent commission established under the Premier League’s disciplinary process.
Manchester City are a member of the Premier League and have agreed to abide by its rules, including the regulations governing disciplinary proceedings.
The appeal now represents the next stage in one of the most significant disciplinary cases in Premier League history.
The outcome could have major implications for Manchester City, but no final consequences can be established while the appeal process remains ongoing.
City’s position remains that the independent commission’s findings contain material errors and that evidence exists to support their defence.
The club will now await the appeal process while continuing to maintain that it has complied with the relevant financial regulations.
