The Football Association has said the independent commission’s verdict against Manchester City carries “significant implications for the integrity of the game”. In a statement, English football’s governing body added that it is “carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate”.
The FA’s response follows confirmation on Tuesday that City were found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The governing body indicated it does not intend to go further while the matter remains live, stating: “As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage.” It added that it would “continue to monitor developments closely”.
Among the independent panel’s findings were that City arranged “sham contracts” with a number of commercial partners as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. The Premier League said the club “systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade”.
City have repeatedly denied guilt and have until Friday to lodge an appeal. Sources have told BBC Sport that City were expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, rather than by the club’s owners, as part of that appeal.