Ferran Soriano (Man City) challenges Premier charges as appeal is set

Man City CEO Ferran Soriano sent a defiant message to rival club executives after the club was found guilty of the majority of the 115 Premier League charges, and the club is preparing to appeal.

Soriano spoke at a board meeting of European Football Clubs (formerly the ECA) in Copenhagen ahead of its general assembly on Tuesday. BBC Sport was told he vowed to fight the case, saying it had taken “eight years to get here” and that “it’s going to take a lot more time”, referring to the start of the Premier League’s investigation in 2018. He left the meeting without answering questions from the media.

Sanctions not announced yet

The report also says Jean-Claude Blanc, Man United’s chief of international football relations, and Everton owner Dan Friedkin (speaking in his role as owner of Roma) were among those present.

City face a wide range of alleged rule breaches, including claims they inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and made other “off the books” payments to bypass financial regulations. Sanctions have not been announced, but the possible repercussions mentioned include a points deduction, expulsion from the top flight or a major fine. The Premier League declined to comment. City said the process remains ongoing with major elements still to be completed under strict confidentiality, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told supporters on Saturday that he was confident the club would prove its innocence.