Simon Jordan warns Man City appeal faces 'significant trouble' after guilty verdicts on 114 charges

Manchester City face a daunting road ahead after guilty verdicts were issued on 114 of the 115 Premier League financial charges brought against them, with former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan declaring the club’s planned appeal is unlikely to produce a different outcome.

The Premier League first charged City with breaching financial rules in February 2023. More than three years later, verdicts have now been delivered — with City found not guilty on just one of the alleged breaches. The club has confirmed it will appeal.

Jordan, speaking on talkSPORT, was unequivocal in his assessment. “I’m unsurprised because I always thought Man City had a case to answer,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how Man City play the appeal out, but they are now in significant trouble, because I don’t think that an appeal is going to be particularly fruitful for them. I don’t think it’s going to produce a different outcome.”

Jordan also argued that the appeal process should not delay the imposition of sanctions, suggesting penalties ought to be provisionally applied to the club while the case continues.

Further legal pressure may follow from elsewhere in English football. According to The Athletic, City’s Premier League rivals are considering a potential class action against the club in the wake of the verdicts.

City, who have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the lengthy proceedings, issued a statement following the guilty verdicts. “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” a club spokesperson said. “As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023. The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

The appeal represents the next formal stage in a case that has hung over the club for more than two years, with the question of sanctions — and their severity — still to be resolved.