Manchester City have announced that they have submitted an appeal against an independent commission’s decision finding the club guilty of every charge connected to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
In a brief statement, the club argued that the commission’s judgment included substantial mistakes involving the law, underlying principles and facts, making the decision unreliable.
Maintaining that it had done nothing wrong, the club said on Thursday evening that it had submitted extensive and conclusive evidence supporting each of its arguments.
Earlier on Friday, the Football Association said the ruling against City could have major consequences for the integrity of football.
English football’s governing body said it was reviewing the judgment and its potential consequences carefully, adding that it would respond if necessary.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that City had been found guilty of every charge concerning violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations from the 2009-10 season through to 2017-18.
The FA said it would not provide further comment while the proceedings involving the Premier League and Manchester City remained active.
It added that it would continue following developments closely.
The FA’s broad authority could allow it to open a separate investigation into the case, potentially exposing the club to additional penalties.
City are expected to argue during the appeal that important sponsorship agreements were financed by the Abu Dhabi government rather than by the club’s owners.
However, the club’s case could be weakened by information that major sponsor Etihad Airways provided to the United States government in 2015.
During a US government investigation into state-owned airlines, Etihad Airways rejected claims that the Abu Dhabi government had paid for its Manchester City sponsorship. The airline said it entered a 10-year agreement with the club in 2011, including stadium naming rights, and financed the deal using its own funds.
Etihad Airways later reiterated that it did not, and never had, received subsidies from the Abu Dhabi government.
The independent panel concluded that City had established illegitimate agreements with several commercial partners to conceal more than £830m in undisclosed funding.
According to the Premier League, City repeatedly violated its regulations over a period lasting almost ten years.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
