Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has refused to publicly comment after being asked to address the club being found guilty of engaging in a scheme to inflate revenues and reduce costs by almost £1 billion over a nine-season period.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called the case, and the decision, “the most significant in Premier League history”. City have repeatedly denied all charges, and have confirmed they will appeal, stating the commission’s decision “contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe”.
Guilty verdict and appeal
News first leaked last week, from The Athletic, that Man City had been found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges first imposed on the club. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told supporters in an open letter published on Saturday that the club were “confident” of proving their innocence.
Chief executive Soriano on Monday addressed fellow members of the European Football Clubs board in Copenhagen, insisting that the club disagreed with the ruling but remained confident of winning upon appeal. Following the Premier League confirming their verdict on Tuesday, Soriano was approached by Sky News for comment.
Refusal to comment
Asked by journalist Rob Harris if he has an apology to make “to football fans”, Soriano replied: “I have nothing to say.”
A follow-up question asking if he is sure that City could win on appeal was ignored by Soriano, to which Harris follows up with: “The Premier League says ‘sham’ contracts? Is this a ‘sham’ club? Are you destroying football?”
Soriano responded with: “Thank you, thank you.” Asked again if has a message for football, and if he has an obligation to comment, Soriano again says, while walking away: “Thank you, thank you.”
