Manchester City’s Appeal Defence to Focus on Abu Dhabi Funding Claims

Manchester City are set to build their appeal against the Premier League commission’s findings around several key arguments, including the source of sponsorship funding and the interpretation of evidence used in the case.

According to Mike Keegan, City will argue that the Abu Dhabi government, rather than the club’s owners, was responsible for sponsorship top-ups that formed part of the Premier League’s case.

A major part of the club’s defence is expected to be bank statements which City believe demonstrate that money transferred to sponsors came directly from government sources. These documents are reportedly being described by the club as “irrefutable evidence” supporting their position.

City are also expected to challenge the interpretation of hacked emails used during the investigation. The club’s argument will reportedly be that the emails reflected “false assumptions” rather than evidence of a deliberately constructed scheme to disguise the true source of sponsorship income.

The use of the term “sham” in the commission’s findings is also expected to form part of City’s appeal, alongside arguments concerning the extraordinary length of time taken to reach a conclusion in the case.

Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and previously stated that they possess substantial evidence supporting their position. The club has also indicated that it will continue to challenge the findings through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

The appeal could therefore become another major stage in the long-running dispute between Manchester City and the Premier League, with the club seeking to overturn findings that could ultimately have significant sporting and financial consequences.