Man City rivals want punishment before season ends — SkimNews
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- Senior Premier League figures told BBC Sport that Manchester City's punishment for breaching financial regulations should be resolved before the end of this season, warning that letting City finish a campaign without resolution could create "uncertainty and farce" — especially if they win the title.
- The Premier League found Manchester City guilty on all charges relating to financial regulation breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, including artificially inflating revenue by more than £900m through "sham" sponsorship deals.
- Manchester City have repeatedly denied guilt and signalled they will lodge an appeal by the end of this week; the club's CEO Ferran Soriano has suggested the case will run for a long time.
- Premier League regulations state an appeal should conclude no more than 12 weeks after filing with a decision within 30 days of its end, though it is unclear whether this applies in City's case, and the club cannot further appeal to CAS but could bring a High Court impartiality claim.
- Etihad Airways, City's main sponsor since 2009, said it "categorically rejects" any finding implying involvement in improper commercial arrangements and is considering legal action against the Premier League over what it called "selective leaks" and damaging public communications.
- The Premier League declined to comment when contacted by BBC Sport, while stating it wants the process "concluded as soon as possible".
Why it matters: Rival clubs fear a championship could be decided while City's punishment remains unresolved, and the £900m in allegedly sham revenue means any sporting sanction carries enormous competitive and financial stakes. The Etihad legal threat adds a second front, with a major commercial partner publicly contesting the Premier League's process — something the league has so far declined to address.
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