Soriano tells Man City staff club will keep fighting after Premier League guilty verdict

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has sent a private video message to club employees in the wake of Tuesday’s Premier League ruling that found the club guilty on all charges brought against them.

Soriano, who serves as CEO of the City Football Group, delivered the three-minute message to staff in which he insisted the club would continue to fight the verdict and suggested the ruling rests on what he described as a ‘single false accusation’, according to The Times.

The message follows a formal statement from Manchester City that expressed both disappointment and surprise at the commission’s findings. The club declared themselves “innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League” and said “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions.” City added that the verdict “contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe,” and confirmed they intend to pursue all available appeal avenues.

The club also noted that they had “diligently respected due process for eight years” and said they were restricted in what further comment they could make until all proceedings are concluded.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters responded to the verdict by stating that the ruling “establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period” and details how the club “systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.” Masters added that the outcome vindicates the league’s decision to pursue the case and that it remains a core responsibility of the Premier League to uphold rules “to protect the integrity of the competition.”

The Premier League process is not yet complete, with significant elements still to be resolved. Masters indicated the league is seeking to bring proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible, though City’s intention to appeal means the case is set to continue for some time yet.

The verdict represents a landmark moment in English football, with the eight-time Premier League champions now facing a prolonged legal battle that could have far-reaching consequences for the club and the competition.