Manchester City CEO brands Premier League verdict a conspiracy

Manchester City has been found guilty of all 114 financial‑rules breaches spanning the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons, the Premier League announced on Tuesday (29). The league also recorded the club’s lack of cooperation during the investigation. City chief executive Ferran Soriano immediately rejected the verdict, describing it as a "conspiracy" against the club.

CEO’s video response

Soriano recorded a video for staff in which he said a Premier League document had been released that was "negative for our interests". He promised to explain the next steps and to continue defending the club until it is vindicated. The CEO asserted that the case rests on a single false allegation that the owner’s personal money was secretly injected via Abu Dhabi sponsors – a claim he called "simply not true".

Club’s official statement

Following the league’s announcement, Manchester City issued a statement saying it was "disappointed and surprised" by the findings. The club maintained its innocence, citing an "extensive set of irrefutable evidence" supporting its position. It pledged to be "relentless and, when necessary, proactive" in all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.

The statement added that the Premier League process remains ongoing but highlighted "material errors of law, principle and fact" in the decision. Consequently, the club will appeal using every legal avenue available.

Premier League reveals Manchester City hid billions in costs

The announcement included a photo credit – Foto: / Jogada10 – accompanying the league’s release. The timing of the verdict, disclosed on Nesta Tuesday (29), underscores the prolonged nature of the dispute.

City’s leadership insists that the allegations concerning secret personal investment are unfounded and that the evidence presented to the commission disproves any such scenario.

Premier League finds Manchester City guilty of decade‑long financial breaches

While the Premier League’s findings cover serious breaches, the club’s narrative focuses on procedural flaws and the alleged conspiracy, setting the stage for a legal challenge.