Manchester City Face October 2 Appeal Deadline After £830m Funding Verdict
Manchester City have until Friday, October 2 to lodge an appeal after an independent commission found the club used more than £830 million in disguised funding to boost reported revenues and evade Premier League and UEFA financial rules.
Commission rejects City explanation
The 40-page decision, released on Tuesday, concluded that a network of arrangements had been used to conceal the true origin of money supporting City’s commercial income.
City had argued that the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, known as the CPC, provided assistance to sponsors so they could meet contractual commitments. The club’s position was that the funding did not come directly from Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group.
The commission dismissed that account. It ruled that the CPC explanation was not true and found that the defence had been constructed afterwards to hide the reality of the funding arrangements.
How the case reached this point
- City’s sponsorship and revenue arrangements were examined as part of the financial case.
- The club said the CPC had supported sponsors rather than ADUG directly financing those deals.
- The commission rejected that defence in its Tuesday ruling and identified more than £830 million in disguised funding.
- City confirmed it will contest the outcome, with October 2 set as the deadline for a formal appeal.
FA keeps disciplinary option open
The Football Association has said the decision carries major consequences for the integrity of English football and that it is assessing what action may be required.
The FA will not make further comment while the Premier League’s proceedings against City remain unresolved, but it has confirmed it will continue to follow developments. That leaves open the possibility of separate action once the legal process advances.
Sponsorship links face fresh scrutiny
City’s commercial partners are central to the findings, with the commission’s conclusions focusing on the flow of money behind sponsorship obligations.
Etihad Airways, the club’s principal sponsor, is considering legal action against the Premier League. The airline is owned by an Abu Dhabi investment fund chaired by Sheikh Mansour’s brother, adding another layer to the ownership and sponsorship connections examined during the case.
What happens next
- City must submit its appeal by Friday, October 2.
- The next phase is expected to focus heavily on the source of sponsor funding and the CPC explanation rejected by the commission.
- Etihad Airways could begin separate legal proceedings against the Premier League.
- The FA is monitoring the case and may decide on disciplinary steps when appropriate.
