Punish Manchester City this season, club chiefs say
Senior football figures urge the Premier League to penalize Manchester City before the current season ends, while Etihad Airways considers legal action.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Premier League club chiefs demand a conclusion to Man City's case this season.
- City were found guilty of financial rule breaches spanning from 2009 to 2018.
- Etihad Airways rejects improper deal claims and mulls legal action against the league.
Senior figures across English football have told BBC Sport on September 30, 2026, that Manchester City's punishment for breaching Premier League financial regulations should be handed down before the conclusion of the current campaign. This follows the Premier League's official announcement that the club was found guilty of all charges related to financial rule violations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The rule breaches included artificially inflating club revenues by more than 900 million pounds through sham sponsorship deals. In response, Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and indicated their intention to file an official appeal before the end of the week.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Fears had previously been raised that the disciplinary process, which has already dragged on for three years since charges were first brought against the club, could be prolonged indefinitely. However, senior figures within the sport have stated they see no valid reason why the proceedings cannot be wrapped up by the end of this season.
Demanding a definitive conclusion within a strict timeframe highlights the Premier League's efforts to maintain competitive integrity and transparency. Allowing a club facing major financial charges to complete a campaign or potentially win the league title without a resolved verdict risks creating widespread uncertainty and controversy across English football.
"It benefits everyone for this to be resolved as quickly as possible."
Anonymous club official
The final decision ultimately rests with an independent commission, with both the Premier League board and Manchester City permitted to suggest appropriate penalties before the panel delivers its verdict. Furthermore, league regulations stipulate that an appeal process should conclude within 12 weeks of filing, with a formal decision rendered within 30 days thereafter.
Despite warnings from club chief executive Ferran Soriano that the legal battle could stretch on for a considerable duration, and while City are barred from taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club could potentially challenge the fairness of the proceedings at the High Court.
Meanwhile, Manchester City club sponsor Etihad Airways released a statement on Wednesday stating that it is actively considering legal action against the Premier League. The United Arab Emirates-based airline strongly rejected any implications that it engaged in improper commercial arrangements and expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency and selective information disclosure by the league.
Source: BBC Sport
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