Independent Football Regulator warns Man City verdicts could trigger owner suitability review

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has responded to Manchester City’s guilty verdicts in the Premier League’s 115-charge case by warning that the findings could trigger a formal review of the club’s ownership and executive leadership.

IFR chair David Kogan issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the organisation holds powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives, and will deploy those powers where there is ‘clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals’. The regulator stopped short of immediate action, noting that proceedings between City and the Premier League remain ongoing.

“The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues,” the statement read. “The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments. We hope it can be resolved quickly for the sake of fans.”

The verdicts themselves represent the most significant ruling in Premier League history. An independent three-man panel found City guilty of more than 100 breaches stemming from charges brought by the league in 2023, concluding that the club disguised over £900 million of investment from their owner as sponsorship income across nearly a decade — artificially hiding losses and inflating revenues in what the panel characterised as systemic cheating.

City have responded with fury, maintaining their innocence and confirming they will appeal. Any appeal process and subsequent sanctions hearings will be conducted confidentially, meaning the full picture of penalties — which could range from points deductions to relegation — may not emerge publicly for some time.

Former manager Pep Guardiola added his voice to the club’s defence on Wednesday, posting a message of solidarity on social media. “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” Guardiola wrote. “I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together.”

The IFR’s intervention signals that the consequences of Tuesday’s verdict could extend well beyond whatever sanctions the Premier League ultimately imposes, with the regulatory body positioning itself as a separate avenue of accountability for individuals found to have acted dishonestly.