Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - The English federation (FA) fears "serious consequences for the integrity of football" due to the case of Manchester City, which this Friday announced that it has appealed the guilty verdict of numerous financial violations for which the possible sanctions are still unknown, but which has caused an earthquake in the Premier League.

First modification: 10/02/2026 - 14:02 Last modification: 10/02/2026 - 14:26

The most prestigious soccer championship in the world, through an independent commission in charge of analyzing the case, declared Manchester City guilty last Tuesday of "serious" financial violations between 2009 and 2018, in particular for having artificially inflated its income and reduced its costs by more than 900 million pounds (about 1.2 billion dollars).

The commission found that the club had concealed the true state of its finances, stating that City were "clearly in breach of both the Premier League and UEFA spending limits".

The entity in the northwest of England, which had until this Friday to file an appeal, announced that it had already taken this step.

Exculpatory "irrefutable evidence"

"The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and there is a complete set of irrefutable evidence that supports its position in this case," the club, owned by an Emirati fund, said in a statement, specifying that the appeal was presented on Thursday night.

"The club's firm position is that, for multiple reasons, the opinion contains clear substantial errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe," the statement added.

But the FA fears that this matter will end up having major repercussions on the entire English football system and said it is "carefully analyzing the [independent commission's] decision and its implications."

City, which has always denied these accusations, still does not know what sanctions it faces and which will be made public at an unspecified date.

The team from the north of England, which belongs to Sheikh Mansur bin Zayed Al Nahayan, a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, risks, in the most severe scenario, losing several titles and being excluded from the championship.

Possible sanctions unknown

Other clubs, such as Everton and Nottingham Forest, have been penalized in the past with points deductions for specific breaches of financial rules.

Since its passage into Emirati hands, Manchester City has become the dominant club in English football, with eight Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.

The case has already surpassed sporting limits. The British government recalled on Thursday that City is not "above the rules", after the criticism received by the prime minister and former mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, for his statements on the case.

"I thank City Football Group and the owners more broadly for the money they have invested not only in the Etihad (stadium) and the surrounding campus, but also in the city," the Labor politician, who governed the city in northwest England from 2017 to June 2026, told the BBC.

Asked if he feared that the Emirati owners would decide to sell the club, he replied: "I would be very worried if they leave. They have been a great collaborator in the transformation of Manchester. And luckily, they have made Manchester City the global club that it is today."

Repercussions beyond football

Oasis star and big City fan Liam Gallagher also came out in defense of his club in a message published this Friday on X.

"All this hatred directed at MAN CITY by other clubs should be directed at ARSENAL, MAN UTD, LIVERPOOL. They are the corrupt ones and try to prevent other teams from winning things, not MAN CITY, we try to help everyone, we are like Jesus, prepared to die on the cross," the singer wrote.

Etihad Airways, the Emirati airline and City's main sponsor, rejected the commission's verdict, denied that it had ever "participated in irregular commercial agreements" and stated that it is considering taking legal action against the Premier League.

Another factor with unsuspected consequences to take into account is the possible avalanche of compensation claims by City's rival clubs.

Christian Purslow, former Liverpool general manager, told the BBC that clubs "will be lining up to claim compensation."

After the national team break, the team now coached by Enzo Maresca will return to action on October 11 at Anfield against Liverpool, its great sporting rival in the last decade.

© 2026 AFP

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