Man City face appeal deadline as Etihad rejects findings and new evidence claim emerges

Manchester City are approaching a Friday deadline to appeal their guilty verdict on 114 counts of Premier League financial rule breaches, with the club widely expected to lodge that appeal before time expires.

The Premier League announced earlier this week that City had been found guilty across all 114 charges. The club responded by maintaining their innocence, and attention has now turned to what punishment the independent panel will impose. Reports indicate that senior figures at rival clubs are pushing for a sanction to be handed down before the end of the current season.

Shirt sponsor Etihad Airways has issued a strongly worded statement in response to the commission’s published findings, saying the airline is “deeply concerned” by how the matter has been communicated. Etihad categorically rejected any suggestion it had been involved in improper commercial arrangements, and criticised the Premier League for what it described as selective leaks and a lack of transparency. The airline also noted it was never contacted during the commission process and was therefore given no opportunity to provide information or challenge conclusions that it says reflect adversely on its reputation.

Separately, former Manchester City chief executive Chris Bird has claimed the club may hold new evidence capable of supporting their innocence. However, football finance expert Stefan Borson has pushed back on that assertion, arguing that under Premier League rules, City would require explicit permission from the independent panel before any new evidence could be submitted.

There are also wider concerns about the potential consequences for City’s Abu Dhabi ownership group. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has publicly stated he does not want the club’s owners to be stripped of their stake as part of any sanction, reflecting anxiety in the city about the long-term structural implications of the case.

The situation remains fluid ahead of Friday’s appeal deadline, with the question of punishment — and the precise legal route City intend to take — still to be resolved.