Manchester City have been found guilty of all Premier League charges brought against them, the league has confirmed. The club now has until Friday, October 2 to file an appeal against the verdict.
Appeal process confirmed
The Premier League announced the appeal process on Tuesday night, stating that sanctions will be addressed separately in a further hearing with the independent Commission. That hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.
The league's statement read: "Now that the charges have been proved, the issue of sanction will be addressed separately in a further hearing with the independent Commission. In accordance with Premier League rules, that hearing will remain private and confidential until such a time as publication of the outcome is permitted.
"The club has the right to appeal the independent Commission’s findings and has until Friday 2 October to exercise that right. The Premier League Board’s intention is that the full process (including any appeals and publication of relevant decisions) is concluded as soon as possible."
City's response
Manchester City have confirmed they will pursue an appeal and maintained their innocence. In a statement, the club said: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
"The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums."
The club added: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.
"The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence. The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."
Potential sanctions
A punishment for City has not yet been suggested, though various options have been explored, including points deductions, fines, and even relegation. Should the verdict be upheld, attention will turn to potential sanctions, with the Premier League keen to conclude the process as quickly as possible.
