Man City 115 charges dispute could continue for years, club CEO Soriano says
By Joel Masibo, September 29, 2026Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has reportedly warned that the club’s long-running dispute with the Premier League could continue for several more years.
Soriano is understood to have discussed the case during a private meeting of the executive board of the European Football Clubs’ organisation in Copenhagen on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The City chief executive did not respond to questions from Sky News about the Premier League investigation as he left the meeting.
Sources told Sky News that Soriano referred to the eight-year-old case during discussions with other senior club executives. He also highlighted the interest the matter has generated among other clubs, although he did not directly refer to reports that the tribunal had found the club guilty of financial wrongdoing over a number of years.
Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The club is now understood to be preparing for the next stage of the process after reports emerged on Friday that an independent tribunal had reached decisions on the majority of the 115 charges brought against the Premier League champions.
Reports suggested that most of the alleged financial breaches were found to have been proven. However, neither the Premier League nor Manchester City has publicly confirmed those reports.
Soriano is understood to have pointed out that eight years have passed since the allegations were initially raised and indicated that further time could be required before the entire dispute is finally resolved.
“It has taken eight years to reach this point and it will still take much more time,” he is understood to have said.
He also reportedly made clear that City remain committed to challenging the case. The club has the right to appeal any findings, while a separate process is expected to deal with potential sanctions.
Manchester City’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reiterated the club’s position on Saturday, September 26, 2026 saying: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.”
City’s latest response
Following the reports about the tribunal’s decision, Manchester City maintained that the Premier League process had not yet been completed.
A club spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.
“As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“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.”
How the case began
The Premier League formally charged Manchester City in February 2023 following a lengthy investigation into alleged financial rule breaches.
At the time, the club strongly rejected the allegations and called for the case to be examined by an independent commission.
City said in their original response: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
The latest reports mean the long-running dispute could now move into an appeals phase, although the full findings and any possible punishment have not been publicly disclosed.
For now, City continue to maintain that they have evidence supporting their position, while the Premier League process remains subject to confidentiality.