Soriano vows years-long fight against Man City charges — SkimNews
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- Ferran Soriano told executives of other clubs at a European Football Clubs (formerly ECA) board meeting in Copenhagen that Manchester City will fight the 115 Premier League charges and the process still has 'a long way to run'
- Soriano told attendees 'it's taken eight years to get here and it's going to take a lot more time,' referencing the start of the Premier League's investigation in 2018, before leaving without taking media questions
- Manchester City were found guilty on Friday of the vast majority of the 115 charges, which centered on claims they inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and made other 'off the books' payments to circumvent financial regulations
- Possible sanctions for Manchester City include a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, or a huge fine, though sanctions have not yet been announced and the Premier League has declined to comment
- Manchester City will appeal the ruling, and other Premier League clubs are already seeking legal advice about compensation relating to the charges
- Khaldoon Al Mubarak wrote to supporters on Saturday expressing confidence the club would prove its innocence, echoing Soriano's message, while noting confidentiality restrictions prevent him from sharing more
- Manchester United chief of international football relations Jean-Claude Blanc and Everton owner Dan Friedkin — there in his capacity as Roma owner — were among executives attending the Copenhagen meeting
Why it matters: Soriano's eight-year framing signals City will drag the appeal through multiple seasons rather than accept sanctions quietly, while rival executives including Manchester United's Blanc and Everton's Friedkin heard the message firsthand — the same clubs now actively seeking compensation legal advice. With the Premier League declining to comment and sanctions still unannounced, a points deduction or worse hangs over the club for months to come.
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