Man City verdict has ‘significant implications’ for football integrity, says FA

The Football Association (FA) says it is considering whether further action is necessary following an independent commission’s findings that Manchester City breached Premier League financial regulations over a nine-season period.

In a statement issued on Friday, the governing body said the commission’s decision had “significant implications for the integrity of the game” and that it was assessing the findings.

“We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate,” the FA said.

The FA, however, declined to comment further while proceedings between Manchester City and the Premier League remain ongoing.

“We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely,” the organisation added.

The statement followed the publication by the Premier League on Tuesday of the independent commission’s core findings into charges brought against City.

According to the Premier League, the commission found the club guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. It also upheld three of four alleged breaches concerning the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.

The commission found that Manchester City had used what it described as “sham” commercial agreements and other arrangements that artificially increased reported revenues and reduced costs. The Premier League said the arrangements affected more than £900 million during the period under investigation.

The commission also concluded that City had submitted misstated accounts and failed to accurately report its financial position to football regulators and auditors. It found that, had the relevant arrangements been properly reflected in the club’s accounts, City would have breached both Premier League and UEFA spending limits by a substantial margin.

The findings also relate to City’s conduct during the Premier League’s investigation. The commission concluded that the club committed multiple breaches of its obligations to cooperate with the league, with three of four alleged breaches upheld.

Manchester City has consistently denied wrongdoing and has challenged the commission’s conclusions. The club said it had filed a “comprehensive” appeal on Friday, arguing that the decision contained material errors of law, principle and fact.

The Premier League has not yet imposed a sanction on the club. Under the competition’s disciplinary process, the independent commission will separately consider the appropriate punishment. Potential sanctions under the rules include fines, points deductions and other sporting measures.

The outcome of the appeal could therefore have a bearing on the eventual sanctions and the wider consequences of the case. The Premier League has said the disciplinary process, including any appeals, will be concluded as quickly as possible.

The FA’s intervention comes as the case continues to generate wider debate about financial regulation, competitive fairness and the enforcement of rules in English football.

For now, however, the governing body has not specified what action it might take, stressing that the proceedings between Manchester City and the Premier League remain ongoing.