Staveley urges Premier League and Man City to find resolution after guilty verdict

Amanda Staveley, the businesswoman who facilitated Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of Manchester City in 2008, has called on the club and the Premier League to reach a negotiated resolution following last week’s bombshell guilty verdict on financial charges.

The Premier League announced on Tuesday that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of its financial regulations between 2009/10 and 2017/18, with the governing body stating the club artificially inflated revenue by more than £900 million through what it described as ‘sham’ sponsorship deals. City denied any wrongdoing, lodged an appeal on Thursday, and said they possess “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their case.

Speaking at the Leaders event at Stamford Bridge, Staveley — who later co-owned Newcastle United before departing in the summer of 2024 — acknowledged the difficulty of the Premier League’s position while stopping short of taking sides. “You’ve got 20 clubs and half of them are shouting at you to do one thing; the rest of the ten clubs are shouting at you to do another,” she said. “So, as an executive, you’re always pulled; you’re always being threatened to be sued by one club. And you’re meant to actually be co-owners of one league. So, to navigate all of that is really tough.”

Staveley, 53, expressed optimism that the dispute would ultimately be settled, though she deferred to others on the specifics of any deal. “I hope that somebody with probably more negotiating abilities [than me] comes in and resolves that issue. And I think it will get resolved,” she said.

Her broader message was one of protecting the Premier League’s global standing. “We have such an exciting league. Football in Europe is potentially the most watched sport in the world and we should really nurture this asset,” Staveley added. “We should focus on the future and getting it right and trying to build bridges with our neighbours.”

Staveley played a central role in Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover in 2021, working alongside the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Reuben family to end Mike Ashley’s 14-year ownership. Under her stewardship, the club reached the Carabao Cup final and qualified for the Champions League in 2023 before she left the club’s board last year.

City’s appeal against the Premier League’s ruling is now under way, with no timeline yet confirmed for a hearing.