According to Martyn Ziegler, The Times' chief football correspondent, Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano told executives from other European clubs that Manchester City will vigorously defend itself against Premier League charges. According to sources present at the meeting, Soriano stated, "This has been going on for eight years, and it will take a long time to reach a final conclusion."

Soriano told the board meeting of the European Club Association in Copenhagen that Manchester City strongly opposes the independent commission's verdict and will do everything possible to overturn it through appeal and potential legal action.

According to The Times reporter, sources at the meeting told journalists that Soriano raised the case at the beginning of the board meeting, stating, "It took us eight years to get here, and this will take a long time."

It is understood that Manchester City has been found in breach of the majority of the 115 Premier League charges, including all substantive allegations. An independent commission will hold another hearing to determine the punishment for Manchester City. Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs believe the Premier League should publish the verdict, which has not yet been released or commented on by the Premier League. The Premier League will also submit sentencing recommendations to the independent commission, outlining the sanctions it believes should be imposed on Manchester City.

Several football figures believe that, given the seriousness of the breaches, including Manchester City's lack of cooperation during the lengthy investigation, the Premier League should seek to impose substantial points deductions, potentially even resulting in Manchester City's relegation.

A three-person independent commission will hold a sentencing hearing to determine what sanctions will be imposed on Manchester City. The hearing is expected to take place within the coming weeks. At that hearing, the Premier League, acting as prosecutor in this case, will be able to propose what it considers appropriate punishment.

The Premier League may also face a dilemma. On one hand, it will face pressure to take tough action; on the other hand, it will be aware that if Manchester City is relegated, the Premier League will lose some of its most influential stars, such as Haaland.

Manchester City's lawyers could then argue for leniency in sentencing, and the club is also expected to appeal the guilty verdict. Given that the Premier League recommended a 12-point deduction for Everton's single profit and sustainability breach in November 2023, which was reduced to 10 points by the independent commission and subsequently to 6 points on appeal, there is a view among English football circles that, given the number and severity of Manchester City's breaches, the Premier League should seek to impose a sufficiently heavy points deduction to make relegation virtually unavoidable.

The independent commission could also choose to expel Manchester City from the Premier League. However, if such action is taken, Manchester City would find itself in an awkward "suspended" position, as the club could not be guaranteed participation in the English Football League (EFL). In addition to points deductions, the commission could also impose transfer bans and fines on Manchester City.

Manchester City will almost certainly cite the relatively lenient treatment Chelsea received from the Premier League and FA in the past, arguing that vastly different treatment of the two clubs would be inconsistent.

The charges against Manchester City include inaccurate financial reporting, inflated sponsorship revenue, undisclosed payments to players and coaches, and non-cooperation with the investigation.

Chelsea's previous breaches were also serious, involving undisclosed payments to agents, intermediaries, and players during Roman Abramovich's ownership of the club. However, earlier this year, Chelsea received only a £10 million fine from the Premier League, followed by another £10 million fine from the FA.

The Premier League Board previously reached a settlement with Chelsea, believing that a points deduction was inappropriate given mitigating factors, including "exceptional cooperation." In addition, Chelsea's initial two-window transfer ban was suspended for two years.

Chelsea's new owner, BlueCo, reported the breaches to the relevant authorities after discovering them during the club's acquisition in 2022, and provided hundreds of thousands of documents to investigators.

Manchester City cannot use "cooperation with the investigation" as a mitigating factor, but the club could argue that because Chelsea ultimately received only fines, Manchester City should not face overly harsh punishment.

One of the charges against Manchester City concerns the failure to fully disclose remuneration details for former manager Roberto Mancini between the 2009-10 and 2012-13 seasons. It is alleged that Mancini held two contracts at that time: one with Manchester City and another as an advisor to a sister club under the Abu Dhabi consortium behind Manchester City.

Mancini, 61, is now head coach of the Italian national team. He said on Sunday: "This is not a matter that concerns me. It is also not new, as this has been discussed for four or five years. Manchester City has not been found guilty, and what is called a dual contract has nothing to do with me. This is their issue, not mine."

A Manchester City club spokesperson stated on Friday: "The relevant Premier League procedures are ongoing, with important stages still incomplete, and the entire process is subject to strict confidentiality requirements. Over the past eight years, the club has diligently complied with the legal process, based on the understanding that the Premier League board and management would act as an independent, impartial, and fair regulatory body, free from partisan factors or any other interests."

During Mancini's tenure, Manchester City won the FA Cup in 2011 and their first top-flight domestic league title in 44 years in 2012.

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