Manchester City’s dispute with the Premier League is unlikely to be resolved quickly, with chief executive Ferran Soriano telling fellow European club executives that the legal fight could continue for years.
Soriano raised the issue during a private meeting of the European Football Clubs board in Copenhagen on Monday, September 28, according to reports cited by Sky News and Reuters. He reportedly referred to the length of time already taken by the case and indicated that considerably more time may be needed before it reaches a final conclusion.
The development comes days after reports emerged that an independent commission had reached findings on the Premier League’s long-running financial case against Manchester City. However, the full judgment has not been publicly released, and the Premier League has maintained confidentiality around the proceedings.
City maintains it will contest the case
Manchester City has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to the charges brought by the Premier League in February 2023.
The original case involved 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules covering the period from 2009 to 2018. The allegations concern areas including financial reporting, sponsorship revenue and the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation. City has rejected the allegations and has indicated that it intends to challenge adverse findings.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said over the weekend that the club remained determined to prove its innocence and warned supporters that the Premier League process still had a long way to run.
Soriano reportedly conveyed a similar message to European club executives, with the club preparing for an appeal process while a separate stage will determine any sanctions.
What happens next?
The immediate uncertainty concerns both the publication of the commission’s findings and the subsequent legal process.
Reports published in recent days have described the independent commission as having found Manchester City responsible for the overwhelming majority of the allegations. However, because the complete ruling has not been made public, the precise findings and reasoning behind individual charges cannot yet be independently assessed from the published judgment.
Potential sanctions reported in connection with the case include financial penalties and sporting consequences. The eventual outcome will depend on the formal findings, any sanctions imposed and the outcome of City’s available appeal process.
The case is separate from Manchester City’s earlier legal challenge involving the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction rules. That dispute was settled in September 2025, with the club accepting that the then-current APT rules were valid and binding.
A case that has already lasted years
The financial case dates back to February 2023, when the Premier League announced more than 100 alleged breaches covering nine seasons.
An independent commission held a lengthy hearing that concluded in December 2024. In August 2026, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters acknowledged that the process had taken longer than expected, while declining to provide a timetable for a decision.
That history explains why Soriano’s latest comments point to a potentially extended next phase rather than an immediate resolution.
For Manchester City, the consequences will depend on the final published findings, any sanctions and the outcome of subsequent appeals. Until those stages are completed, the long-running dispute remains unresolved.
What is the Manchester City Premier League case about?
It concerns 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules covering 2009 to 2018. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing.
What did Ferran Soriano say about the case?
Reports say Manchester City’s CEO told European club executives that the dispute could take years to reach a conclusion.
Has Manchester City been found guilty?
Reports say an independent commission has reached findings against Manchester City on the majority of the charges. However, the full judgment has not been publicly released, so the detailed findings cannot yet be independently reviewed in full.
Does Manchester City accept the allegations?
No. Manchester City has consistently denied wrongdoing and says it intends to challenge adverse findings.
Could Manchester City appeal?
Yes. The club is expected to use the available appeal process following the commission’s findings and any subsequent sanctions.
When were the Premier League charges brought?
The Premier League announced the charges against Manchester City in February 2023. They concern conduct alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2018.
Is this the same as Manchester City’s APT dispute with the Premier League?
No. The APT dispute was a separate legal matter concerning rules governing transactions involving associated parties. The Premier League and Manchester City settled that arbitration in September 2025.
