City Chief Affirms Club's Innocence Amidst Rival Push for Verdict Publication

Several Premier League clubs are pressing for the Manchester City verdict to be released promptly. The club, meanwhile, is preparing for an extended legal fight to clear its name.

Manchester City's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, informed the European Football Clubs board on Monday that the club intends to contest the findings. An independent commission previously found City guilty of the majority of the Premier League's 115 charges for financial rule breaches.

Soriano's decision to address the guilty verdict, which surfaced on Friday but has not yet been officially confirmed by the club or the league, surprised other EFC board members. These included representatives from rival clubs like Jean-Claude Blanc of Manchester United and Everton owner Dan Friedkin.

During the meeting, Soriano requested and received permission to make a short statement. He expressed his disagreement with the commission's ruling and stated his confidence in City's eventual victory in this matter. He also noted that while the allegations of financial misconduct were first raised eight years ago, a final resolution could still take significantly longer.

The continuing delay is causing growing frustration among other clubs. They remain uninformed about the case's specifics and the expected timeline for any outcome. Although club executives received a general overview of the independent commission's findings last Thursday, there have been no further updates, and the verdict has not yet been made public. A source from one club commented on Monday, stating, "All we have is a void, and it would be better for everyone if it was filled as soon as possible."

Soriano declined to comment when approached by reporters after the EFC board meeting.

The Premier League has not issued any comment or indicated when the judgment will be published.

City Chief Maintains Club’s Innocence as Rivals Push for Verdict to Be Published

Several Premier League clubs are pushing for the Manchester City verdict to be published quickly. The club is gearing up for a prolonged legal battle to establish its innocence.

Manchester City’s chief executive, Ferran Soriano, told the European Football Clubs board on Monday that the club will fight to prove its innocence after an independent commission found them guilty of most of the Premier League’s 115 charges for financial rule violations.

Soriano's willingness to discuss the guilty verdict against City, which emerged on Friday but has yet to be publicly confirmed by the club or the Premier League, surprised other board members. This group includes domestic rivals Jean-Claude Blanc, head of Ineos Sport and chief of international football relations at Manchester United, and Everton owner Dan Friedkin.

Soriano reportedly addressed the board at the start of the meeting, asking for permission to give a brief statement. The Spaniard stated he wanted to make it clear he disagreed with the commission’s ruling and that he and City were confident of ultimately winning their case. He also mentioned that while it had been eight years since the financial misconduct allegations were first made against City, a definitive conclusion to the situation could take considerably more time.

The ongoing delay is a growing source of frustration for other clubs, who are still in the dark regarding the case details and the likely timeframe for a resolution. While club executives received a broad outline of the independent commission’s findings against City last Thursday, there has been no update since, and the verdict has not yet been published. A source from one club said on Monday: "All we have is a void, and it would be better for everyone if it was filled as soon as possible."

Soriano declined to comment when approached by reporters following the EFC board meeting.

The Premier League has not commented or provided any indication of when the judgment will be published.