The Football Association (FA) has issued its first response after Manchester City were found to have breached a number of Premier League financial regulations.
The governing body released a statement on Friday following the publication of the independent commission’s findings into the long-running case involving the Premier League champions.
“The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game.
“We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate. As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely.”
The FA’s statement comes after the Premier League announced the commission’s findings earlier in the week, bringing a major stage of the investigation to a conclusion.
The case covers a period between 2009 and 2018 and includes allegations surrounding Manchester City’s financial reporting and commercial arrangements.
Among the findings were allegations that the club had arranged “sham” commercial agreements with several sponsors. The Premier League also alleged that City’s reported revenue had been overstated by more than £900 million during the period under investigation.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the commission’s decision had established what happened during the period in question.
“The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.
“It also vindicates the Premier League’s decision to pursue this case against Manchester City. While the process to date has been both long and difficult, the League has remained determined that the facts be established independently.
“It is a key responsibility of the Premier League to ensure that the Rules, approved by the clubs themselves, are upheld to protect the integrity of the competition. It is paramount that the League remains competitive and fair for all clubs and for the fans.
“We take that role extremely seriously. This disciplinary case, and this decision, are the most significant in Premier League history.
“There are elements of the case that remain to be decided, including, importantly, what sanction must follow for these breaches. Now we have the Commission’s decision, we are committed to moving swiftly through the remainder of the process, to provide certainty for the League, our clubs and fans.”
Manchester City, however, rejected the findings and maintained that the club remains innocent of the allegations.
In its response, the club said:
“Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe.
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence. The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete.”
The club’s next step is expected to centre on the available appeal process, while the Premier League still has to determine the sanctions arising from the commission’s findings.
The FA has indicated that it will continue following the developments before deciding whether any action within its own remit is necessary.
