Manchester City eyes secret Premier League deal to avoid relegation

Facing the threat of relegation and the possible loss of several titles, Manchester City is said to have tried to settle amicably with the Premier League, but the League refused any negotiation. The club has been found guilty of one hundred fourteen breaches of the financial regulations, for fraud amounting to roughly one billion euros.

Proposed settlement and the League's refusal

According to Bloomberg, the Skyblues would have offered a substantial cheque – the amount of which has not been disclosed – to avoid sporting sanctions. The Premier League, however, is said to have rejected this offer, not wanting to accept a compromise that would not formally acknowledge the club's guilt.

The same scenario is described in another report: a very high pecuniary sanction would have been put on the table, but the Etihad executives refused any agreement that could tarnish their line of defence. Consequently, the club halted the negotiations and chose to face the official procedure.

On 1 October 2026, Manchester City lodged an official appeal with the Independent Commission, exposing the club to the decisions of the sports judiciary. No details are provided on the possible final sanction, but the risks mentioned range up to exclusion from the league or the loss of titles won between 2009 and 2018.

Enzo Maresca, the Italian coach, said that the players remain focused on the current season, stating: “The players know that we can only control the football and they don’t worry about anything else.” He appears “calm” regarding the outcome of the case.

The Manchester club continues to play its matches, next Sunday at Liverpool’s ground, followed three days later by a Champions League clash against PSG.