Manchester City’s appeal leaves staff in limbo as sanctions loom

Manchester City, found guilty of 114 of 115 Premier League financial‑violation accusations, has lodged an appeal while staff wrestle with the prospect of historic punishments that could include fines, points deductions, relegation or exclusion from competitions.

The lack of certainty surrounding the appeal has eroded confidence in the club’s ability to retain players, renew contracts and complete new transfers, a concern highlighted by the English press last week.

The Telegraph spoke to anonymous employees across all levels of the Citizens to gauge the atmosphere behind the scenes. None agreed to be named, citing fear of reprisals and advice not to speak to the media while the process remains ongoing.

A worker told the newspaper, “We have been waiting a long time to see what would happen with these Premier League accusations, and many things run through our heads. I simply did not expect this. I am still a little shocked by the ferocity of what the commission said, and that is what worries me.”

Panel verdict and financial scheme

After years of investigation and a trial that began in February 2023, an independent panel delivered a verdict that described the breach as a “fraud” eight times, accusing the Citizens of operating a disguised financing scheme.

The panel revealed that Manchester City used £830 million – roughly R$5.5 billion – injected directly by the owners to secretly fund sponsorship contracts, a practice the commission condemned as “invented long after the event to obscure and hide the reality of the scheme”.

Payroll and staff figures

Latest balances released in June 2025 showed City Football Group employing 2,647 people across its twelve clubs, with a total payroll of £630.5 million (about R$4.1 billion). Of those, 670 work for the Citizens, including 252 in the football department and 418 in commercial and administrative areas.

CEO Ferran Soriano and club president Khaldoon Al Mubarak have reiterated confidence in the legal route, recalling that the Citizens were previously condemned by UEFA in early 2020 for financial breaches, receiving a fine and a two‑season Champions League suspension that was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Some employees expressed gratitude towards President Al Mubarak, noting the club’s early commitment during the Covid‑19 pandemic not to suspend any employment contracts, a stance that remains a point of pride among the workforce.